Remember The Bad News Bears (the original one, not the disaster with Billy Bob Thornton)? Of course you do, it was a “revolutionary” film in that it presented kids as kids, not some Disneyworld animatronic beings.
Now how about, Hardball, starring Keanu Reeves as a gambling addict sentenced to coach an inner city little league baseball team. Despite the obvious cultural problems, he — and the audience — learn to love this disadvantaged but spunky band of boys as they struggle in the streets and on the diamond to reach the inevitable championship game.
Now there’s The Perfect Game, which takes on the Hispanic point of view. According to the piece on MLB.com:
More than 50 years ago, a group of boys in Monterrey, Mexico overcame their poverty, lack of experience and insufficient equipment and formed their own Little League team against the odds. That feat alone was extraordinary, but what happened next was even more special: the boys’ passion for the sport carried them to the 1957 Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA, where the Monterrey Industrials set a record that is still in place today.
This is the story that is chronicled in “The Perfect Game,” a forthcoming movie from Lionsgate Entertainment. In the tradition of “The Bad News Bears” and “The Sandlot,” “The Perfect Game” recaps an underdog team’s struggles in Little League baseball and in everyday life. However, unlike the aforementioned classics, “The Perfect Game” is inspired by a true story, one that is still unknown to many baseball fans today.
I love the phrase “inspired by a true story.” It’s so meaningless. When you think about it, anything can serve as inspiration, no matter how far fetched and distant from the final product it may be. Who knows how many inventions came to be because of some that had absoluteley nothing to do with it, just the genius’ stream of consciousness in action.
But I digress.
In a constant uphill struggle, the unpolished kids face angry parents and inner turmoil on their way to becoming a respectable team. Guided by [the authority figrues’] firmness and [religious authority figure’s] benevolence, the boys find the focus and dedication that they need to play Little League in America. The team also brings their devoutness into the sport, urging the priest to read them Psalm 108 before each game, in honor of the number of stitches in a baseball. “In baseball,” explains Coach Cesar, “the Trinity is home runs, RBIs and batting averages.”
You get the idea.
I’m not saying it won’t be a crowd pleaser — I have not seen this film — but judging by the promo material, and PG rating, I doubtthis will attract the Bull Durham crowd.
Two videos for your consideration: a mini-documentary describing baseball at the time as a prelude to the movie, and the official trailer.
is available on Amazon.com,
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