Film Review: Hardball (2001)

Films, otherwise unremarkable, can serve their purpose by being released in perfect time and delivering the audience exactly what it needs at that particular moment. One such example is Hardball, 2001 sports drama directed by Brian Robbins.

The film is based on Hardball: A Season in the Projects, non-fiction book by Daniel Coyle. The protagonist, played by Keanu Reeves, is Connor O’Neill, is Chicago man with serious gambling problem. Finding himself in debt to some unpleasant people, he desperately wants to secure the loan from his friends in corporate world. He receives it, but under condition that he has to serve as baseball coach to team of African American schoolchildren from troubled inner city neighbourhood. Connor is at first not very enthusiastic about his new job, especially after seeing his team being made of trash-talking undisciplined boys. However, he gradually wins their confidence and make them into effective team, while also managing to pay off hid debts and turn his own life around in the process. He also starts romantic relationship with children’s teacher Elizabeth Wilkes (played by Diane Lane).

Hardball is a film that drowns in cliches. Those include team of dysfunctional undergrounds that gradually transforms into winners and protagonists from starts as self-destructive degenerate only to turn into valuable member of society. Obligatory romantic subplot only adds to the mix. However, Brian Robbins, known for his hit sports drama Varsity Blues, directs the material with great confidence and the gritty surrounding of inner-city Chicago with issues of poverty and violence makes Hardball looking more serious and convincing than similar Hollywood films. Even Keanu Reeves, who often gave arguments to those doubting his acting abilities, is surprisingly effective in his role. Film wasn’t particularly liked by the critics, but it had surprisingly good results at the box office, which are often interpreted with release immediately after 9/11 and traumatised audience’s desire to see story that would restore faith in humanity. Even without such historic context, Hardball can be recommended as solid piece of cinema.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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