For Love of the Game (2000, DVD)

There are multiple reasons that I liked For Love of the Game. In this sports-meets-love theme movie, we witness the emotional exhaustion that is possible when people are faced with life changing decisions. Although the plot centers on choices faced within a pro-baseball career, I feel that the issues presented can by symbolic toward the career battles that professionals from varying employment stances face.

~*~Synopsis~*~
In For Love of the Game Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner) is faced with a tremendous tug-o-war; shall he pursue a love affair with Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston), or aggressively approach his acclaim for fame via pro-baseball? Billy is the star pitcher with the Detroit Tigers. Although poised on the pitchers mound at Yankee stadium, this star is consumed with the thoughts of a girlfriend, whom has spoken of leaving him, realization that the team is about to be sold, and the typical outside forces facing athletes. Truly this season is a crossroads, just what will he do?

~*~Observations & Thoughts~*~
Costner does a good job of exhibiting the mental confusion, physical demands, and 2nd party implications that confront baseball players. I liked how he attacked the role, providing what I felt was believable acting. The emotional portrayal that Costner offered, assisted me toward viewing this film from two angles. First, I liked watching the intensity of the situations faced by Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner); and I enjoyed contemplating how relevant his battle was to real life career versus love decisions.

I found myself thinking that so often we are faced with examining just what are the driving factors of decisions, and what precisely should we pursue in life? So often we are in a crossroad situation!

In another sense I felt that For Love of the Game allowed the viewer to witness a minor capture of the stresses faced by professional sports players. In particular the overwhelming expectations from coaches and fans, and additionally the verbal abuse tossed at the players. This film correctly represented the negative demonstrations that can fly from the fans and showed the sickening realization that often times too much emphasize on winning overtakes better judgment. I understand team support, and have been known to become vocal at sporting events. However, I find it irritating when negative remarks fly.

The chick side of me appreciated the inclusion of glimpses into the players personal lives. How many times do you wonder what life outside of the field is like for the player? This is a frequent ponder of mine. When I know some personal information about the player, their family, and so forth, I feel a connection. Overall I felt that this movie afforded the viewer insight to the humanistic side of sports stars.

Overall I feel that this baseball related movie provided a balance between the sport and the love life of a player, and realism of a life changing decision. Although frequent flashbacks within movies sometimes annoy me, yes there were plenty of them in this flick, they were properly used throughout For Love Of The Game and they were beneficial to the plot. For the most part, I felt that the plot was realistic and balanced, offering some Hollywood ease, but staying pretty much on track. I felt that the plot had a nice flow and the movie maintained my interest the entire time.

There are plenty of love scenes. Thankfully they are tastefully presented, allowing those sensitive to graphic sexual matter to be okay with the movie, and providing a viewing that is appropriate for children 13 and up. Normal tensions that occur in relationships were presented well. As was the on again, off again patterns that affect many. In the end, I feel the main characters did an excellent job of making unselfish decisions. It is my feeling that the love relationship, of this story, has similarities to You ve Got Mail.

~*~Sum It Up~*~
In summary I feel that this is a good movie for those faced with a career change decision. For Love Of The Game would be a good Friday night view, rainy day diversion, or other kickback time adventure. If you like a well-balanced love story: this is a good video choice for you. The love scenes are appropriate and the language contact is bearable. Be prepared to see a ton of baseball scenes in graphic detail.

2000/2003
Lisa_J