For Love of the Game

Buy This Item For Love of the Game by Universal Studios  Available from Amazon  $6.99  on 8-28-2008     Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner) is having a bad day. His girlfriend Jane (Kelly Preston, stunning as ever) says she's leaving, and his boss (Brian Cox) says he's selling the business and ace employee Billy may be out of job. Sounds like business as usual for an old-fashioned veteran. However, the business is baseball and for Billy Chapel, the 40-year old former all-star for the Detroit Tigers, it means his career--and his life--is at a crossroads.<p> Although it is no <I>Bull Durham</I>, <I>For Love of the Game</I> finds a solid and very believable role for Costner. The film is based on Michael Shaara's (<I>The Killer Angels</I>) stream-of-consciousness novel (the rough manuscript was found after his death 1988). The entire film takes place on Billy's day on the mound against the Yankees, a meaningless late-season game for the Tigers, but everything for Billy. In flashbacks, he lingers over his long relationship with Jane and his baseball career (from World Series heroism to a career-threatening injury). His one viable link to the game at hand is his catcher, played winningly by John C. Reilly. Costner, like Chapel, is looking for one more great performance, but the film is too simplistic and loopy at times to resonate. The love story has an extra helping of cuteness, and legendary baseball announcer Vin Scully nearly takes on a leading role, waxing grandiloquent. It's no grand slam, but a solid double. <I>--Doug Thomas</I> Reader Reviews For Love of the Game is a very enjoyable film. Costner, as usual, gives a fine performance surrounded by excellent performances from the supporting cast. The video and audio on the HD DVD are completely involving; on good AV systems, the film will play better than at a movie theater. If you like serious baseball movies (The Pride of the Yankees, The Natural, etc.), For Love of the Game will make a fine addition to your disc library.

For Love of the Game Available from Amazon Price: $6.99 Updated on 8-28-2008.

SPONSORED LINKS