For Love of the Game (1999)

IMDb plot summary: After 19 years of playing the game he's loved his whole life, Detroit Tigers pitcher Billy Chapel has to decide if he's going to risk everything and put everything out there.

Directed by Sam Raimi. Starring Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, John C. Reilly, and Jena Malone.

I'm not entirely convinced the two halves of this movie, the ball game and the flashback, play together as well as the film wants them to. But more importantly, the character of Billy Chapel isn't nearly likable or interesting enough to hold my attention for 2 hours. He's a pretty self-centered jerk, but not in any way that invites thoughtfulness or reflection, and I'm not even ENTIRELY sure the film is aware that he's unlikable -- we might be supposed to sympathize with him more. The scenes with the ongoing baseball game are by far the most interesting, since it doesn't require us to care very much about his character, just enjoy the excitement of the athletic achievement. Not one to go out of your way to see.

How it entered my Flickchart:

For Love of the Game < Frank

For Love of the Game < The Professional

For Love of the Game > Madagascar

For Love of the Game < It Could Happen to You

For Love of the Game < Bohemian Rhapsody

For Love of the Game > Nicholas Nickleby

For Love of the Game > Fist of Legend

For Love of the Game > The Proposal

For Love of the Game > Blow

For Love of the Game < The Stepford Wives (2004)

For Love of the Game > Countdown

Final spot: #2867 out of 3393, or 16%.