Million Dollar Arm Review
RYAN: We just saw the new Disney baseball movie starring Jon Hamm and based on a true story. It’s really a cross between Jerry Maguire, American Idol…
CHUCK: and My Fair Lady.
RYAN: Yes! It’s fine. I’m not a sports fan but really love sports movies because they’re rousing, suspenseful and exciting. This one was not. It is at the very end but not even close to the way most sports movies put you on the edge of your seat. This is a sweet, chill dramedy.
CHUCK: Yeah it’s a by the books Disney movie, although there are a few moments that were pushing it, for a Disney movie in terms of some behavior. But there wasn’t the suspense there is in most sports movies. It’s more about the life of these Indian boys who learn the sport and get drafted. I thought it was great.
RYAN: It’s definitely too long. It has a phenomenal ending and a nice twenty minute ending, at that. But half way and three-quarters of the way in, it really drags on. It’s labored. I wasn’t disinterested but too slow.
CHUCK: They really focused on the two guys and they were fantastic; especially Suraj Sharma, who won me in Life of Pi and is great as well in this. He needs to be in more films. The camera loves him. I loved when the movie focused on them. And Alan Arkin is wonderful to see as always.
RYAN: He was hilarious and had some real scene stealing moments; a perfect casting for him. I also really liked all that Lake Bell brought to the story. Her subplot was great and she’s a very grounded, almost good role model, as a woman in this role.
CHUCK: Absolutely. I wasn’t familiar with her before this and I just loved her.
RYAN: She’s pretty but plays funny and smart equally well. Jon Hamm looks really good and is so charismatic and it’s cool seeing him headline a film like this.
CHUCK: There’s a little bit of Don Draper in there.
RYAN: Whenever he’s in a suit.
CHUCK: (laughs) Yes but there was one subplot that they could have gotten rid of.
RYAN: I agree. The movie needed to be tightened up by at least fifteen minutes and could have been easily. It’s not a movie about baseball and that’s ok. But the marketing is a bit misleading. But you don’t need to know the game to enjoy this movie. They show the rural part of India.
CHUCK: That’s a majority of the country. But there’s something beautiful and real about it at the same time. And seeing the great cultural differences portrayed was really nice.
RYAN: I also liked Pitobash who played Amit. He was hilarious.
CHUCK: Amazing. He had a great storyline too.
RYAN: It’s a sweet movie but I would have enjoyed it just as much, or more at home. It’s not a must see in the theater.
Nathan May 20, 2014
“And My fair Lady” LOL!!! good one Chuck!