THE ROOKIE


US, 2002, 127 minutes, Colour.
Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez, Beth Grant, Angus T.Jones, Brian Cox, Rick Gonzalez, Russell Richardson.
Directed by John Lee Hancock.

Many parents would like to see more films which offer role models for children - and for themselves. The Rookie has been particularly successful in the United States in this regard. It has the great advantage of being about baseball, the great American game. While this puts it at something of a disadvantage for audiences who do not play the game or understand it, it is the universal values it offers that are worthwhile.

The Rookie is based on a true story. As a boy, Jim Morris dreamed of playing in the Major League. His father, however, was continually on the move for the navy, finally settling in Texas where there were very few opportunities. Jim Morris did try out for selection in the 1980s but had to retire from the game with severe arm injuries in 1989. He became a high school science teacher, happily married with three children and serving as the local baseball coach.

Nothing particularly special there. It is what happened when he was in his later 30s that is the subject of this film. His baseball team make a bet with him. If they win the district championship, he must go for Major League trials. What had happened was that his arm had strengthened as he grown older and could pitch sometimes at 98 mph. Would he, at an age more than twice that of the other rookies, be selected to play? Not hard to guess the answer to that question.

The important thing about the film, which has been geared to the widest family audience with a U Certificate, is that it shows that people need affirmation in their gifts and should be encouraged to try them out and develop them. Morris's stern father gives him the advice that he needs to do what he wants and then do what he was meant to do. This kind of parent thinks that what the child wants to do (which is not what the parent wants for the child) is not what the child is meant to do. In The Rookie, Morris is close to his eight year old son, taking him to all the practices and matches. He is like a mascot. But he also has the chance to be close to his father, to admire him, to grow up truly and lovingly bonded to his father.

It should be said that at 128 minutes the film is quite long with lots of shots of pitching the ball and game sequences which are a bit of a mystery to the uninitiated.

Dennis Quaid portrays Jim Morris, showing both his age and his athleticism, his devotion to his students, his love for his wife (Rachel Griffiths), his cherishing his children. In this regard, The Rookie is what the Americans call an 'inspirational' film for family values. But it is also an encouragement to parents to reassess what they are doing, whether they have looked at their dream and asked whether it was possible for it to become a reality and to see the repercussions for their family.

1. An inspirational American film, a live-action Disney film? Sports film? The opening voiceover and the yarn about the nuns crossing the desert, investing their money and asking the priest's advice - and it coming to fruition?

2. A true story, the history of Jim Morris, his relationship with his father, baseball, marriage and children, teaching, coaching? His opportunity for the Major League?

3. The Morris family, Jim and his growing up, the support of his mother, his military father, not showing interest, not affirming his son, the continually moving from state to state, the effect on the boy, on his playing baseball, love for baseball, the moment when his baseball glove was not packed for the move?

4. Jim and the arrival in Texas, going to the store, the talk about socks, but his wanting to buy baseball gear, the support of the owner of the store – continuing through the years, and with the support of his card-playing friends?

5. Texas, the Morris family settling their, mother and father separating, the hard taskmaster father, devotion to his work and job? The loving mother? The father in his retirement, a devoted grandfather, yet still warning his son about what he wanted to do and what he was meant to do? No support for the Major League? Jim and his discussions with his mother, walking along the road, her remembering her marriage and her relationship with her husband?

6. Jim, teaching science in high school, the lesson on the atom, the response of the students? His coaching, the baseball team, not very good? The issue of the grounds, the deer eating the seed, the store owner and his sowing the seed, growing the pitch? With the boys, the devotion of his son, Hunter?

7. The place of Hunter, his age, following his father around, and admiring his father, at the baseball field? Lorri, the marriage, her devotion to her husband, the children in the household? Her office job?

8. Jim, at night, practising his pitching, testing it with the road sign and speed? The member of the team knowing about this, urging Jim to pitch, the proud player and his shock at the speed of the pitch? The boys and their losses at games, the pep talk, the bargain, their winning every game, his making an application for professional playing?

9. The effect of collages, especially of all the pitches that Jim made? The matches, the victories, the final victory?

10. Discussions with Lorri, her memories of his playing 20 years earlier, his injury, having to withdraw? Yet his physical condition improving? The speed of his pitches? Her thinking things over, her agreement, his going to see his father, his father not supporting him?

11. The application, his age, the reactions of the other players? His being with the children, looking after them, going to pitch, the consistent speed? The reaction of the coaches and the selectors?

12. His playing, travelling, the various matches, the commentators, remembering his past? His watching the television interview, the review of his life, his hopes and ambitions?

13. The clash with Brooks, at the telephone, explaining he was helping his child with homework, the bond between the two, friendship with the others?

14. His been called in by the coach, Brooks being selected, Jim having to tell Brooks – and the coach telling him that both had been selected?

15. The match at Arlington, the crowds in the town, his pitching, success, acclamation?

16. The American dream, hopes for success, giving one’s all, Hunter and his wife supporting him, the presence of his father?

17. A film of encouragement?