For Love of the Game

Review by James Anthony

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How often have you been in a video/DVD store, running your hand along the shelving trying to find the perfect movie to fit your mood and you seemingly find it, only to be put off by one of the lead actors?

You may love the other performers; might have heard great things about the film and how funny or sad, thrilling or chilling it is, but you just can't bring yourself to watch it because so-and-so is in it.

Sometimes, you may like the actor but have reservations because in recent times their choice of film has been somewhat errant.

For this chap, Kevin Costner is one such performer.

He's done some terrific movies - No Way Out, Dances With Wolves, A Perfect World, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham - some not quite so fantastic but still enjoyable ones - Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Tin Cup, and ones that I really can't get interested in seeing - Waterworld and The Postman.

And yet, if the latter two just happened to be in the DVD player and someone else started them, then there is little doubt I would watch them because Costner is a highly likeable guy to watch on screen. And so, when the hand hovered over For Love of the Game it only did so for a split second and it was a very wise decision.

For Love of the Game is an exceedingly well-done examination of a professional ball player's life as he faces three major crises during the last game of the major league baseball season.

His beloved club has been sold, he's likely to be traded to a team he loathes and his long-time love is moving overseas.

Told stylishly in a series of between-inning flashbacks, For Love of the Game mixes drama, romance and comedy with great skill and it is helped on its way by Costner's convincing and appealing portrayal of the ageing baseball superstar Billy Chapel.

Honest, determined and fiercely loyal to the Detroit Tigers, Chapel battles a series of internal conflicts that threaten to ruin what could be his last game - against the hated New York Yankees.

The script is very good and, through its well-layered plot, builds the characters into well-rounded, believable people who can both please and infuriate you by the way they behave.

As said, Costner is back to his best and he is well-supported by Kelly Preston, who has a tough role to play as the independent-but-unsure lover, Jane. Both the script and Preston keep a tight rein on her character's emotions, which could have become an over-gushy bore, and make sure that the romantic side of the movie remains warm and interesting.

For Love of the Game has everything you could want and an ending that will keep you biting your nails.

Conclusion: Movie 85%, Extras 70%

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