SUMMER CATCH
US, 2001, 108 minutes, Colour.
Freddie Prinze Jr, Jessica Biel, Fred Ward, Matthew Lillard, Brian Dennehy, Jason Gedrick, Brittany Murphy, Bruce Davison, Mark Blucas, Wilma Valderrama, Gabriel Mann, Beverly D' Angelo, John C. Mc Ginley.
Directed by Mike Tollin.
Around the year 2000, Freddie Prinze Jr made a lot of romantic comedies, She’s All That, Boys and Girls, Head over Heels. This is a variation on those themes, taking up issues of baseball.
As a romance, it is familiar territory, the poor local boy, Ryan, about to make good in baseball falling, in love with the daughter of the owner of the wealthy mansion where he cuts the grass. It is also the story of the rich girl rebellious against the dominating father, falling in love with the local boy, being tested about her love and her future. Freddie Prinze Jr is Freddie Prinze Jr but Jessica Biel gives a stronger performance giving an impression of greater maturity despite her uncertainties.
On the baseball side, there is strong support from Brian Dennehy as the coach, strict discipline but seeing something in the young player. There is a raucous mood about the players, especially about drinking, about sex and relationships – with Matthew Lillard doing another one of his rather irritating performances. Brittany Murphy is a young sexpot. Stronger, however, are the local friends, especially Gabriel Mann as the friend who ultimately speaks the strong truth to his friend.
There is quite a lot of play and practice, entertaining for those who are devotees of baseball.
There are also a lot of character actors, older actors in supporting roles including Bruce Davison as the heroine’s father, Fred Ward is the hero’s father, Beverly D’ Angelo as something of a sexpot, John C. Mc Ginley as a baseball scout.
Of its time – but the perennial kind of romantic sports story.
1. A film for younger audiences? Romance? Baseball?
2. The Cape Cod area, the locals, mansions, business, sports training, the summer camp? The musical score?
3. A film for American audiences? For those who understand baseball?
4. Ryan, his age, background, the effect of his mother’s death, support of his father, thinking that his father wanted him to fail, the example of his older brother, not trusting him,
eventually asking him for advice? His prickly personality? His comments and his hopes about a baseball career, out on the ground at night, Dede and interrupting everything, arriving late for the training, wearing the thong, the coach’s harshness on him? His work, with his father, seeing Tenley at the pool, the crashes? His relationship with the rest of the team, stubborn stances, at practice, erratic behaviour, with Billy Brubaker?
5. Sean Dunne, his wife’s death, bringing up his sons, hard work, landscaping, watching his son play, the criticisms, urging him on? His attitude towards the romance with Tenley? His drinking, going to see Parirsh, his pride? With the scout, upping the finance? Proud of his son?
6. Tenley, rich, the family estate, clashes with her father, his planning her career, to go to San Francisco, her interest in architecture? In the bars, meeting the players, the encounter with Ryan, their going out together, the clashes, Ryan and his stubbornness, her saying he was afraid? The clashes at home, his going to the house, the party, the reaction against her father, going to San Francisco, calling in at the game, Ryan stopping her at the airport?
7. Rand Parrish, wealthy, snobbish, his friendship with Sean Dunne, criticisms of Ryan, argument with his daughter, the parties, Ryan coming to the house, the clash, the talk
and the blackmail? Tenley defying her father after agreeing to go to San Francisco? The role of her mother?
8. The members of the team, the locker rooms, the locker room talk, attitude towards sexuality and relationships, Dede, Miles and large women, Mikey and the house mother and his timidity, his being encouraged, the sexual encounter?
9. Coach, stern, tough discipline, disappointments with the men kicking over the traces, seeing something in Ryan, challenging, encouraging?
10. The talent scout, observations, timing of pitches, the offer at the end?
11. Ryan, his friends outside the team, locals, Auggie eventually telling him the truth and with conviction?
12. Ryan, change, his talk with his brother, his father, with Tenley, with Auggie, his love of baseball, the finale and his finding the right moment?
