"Haven't you ever loved anything that much?"      

FOR LOVE OF THE GAME (PG-13)

Reviewed September 18, 1999 - Check out the For Love of the Game Website.

Studio Synopsis: This film takes a provocative look into the professional and personal passions of Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner), a legendary baseball pitcher nearing the end of his career who is forced to re-examine his priorities when confronted with unexpected circumstances: not only is he about to be traded after 20 years with the same team, but the woman he has been with for several years, Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston), is leaving him. In the midst of pitching a perfect game against the New York Yankees, Chapel, who has been the heart and soul of the Detroit Tigers, thinks back upon his long career and his tempestuous relationship with Jane. Aware that the stakes in his life have increased dramatically, the veteran ballplayer knows that he has some serious decisions to make by the bottom of the ninth inning.

Fuzzydog Review: It's well known that Kevin Costner has had much success with the "baseball film" genre, specifically with the wildly successful and ever-popular Field of Dreams and Bull Durham.  In those, as in many good sports films, the story really isn't about "the games," but about the personalities, stories and relationships behind them.  For Love of the Game is, thankfully, no different. 

Deftly directed by Sam Raimi, For Love takes us into pitcher Billy Chapel's world and, in the course of one perfect game, allows us once again to use baseball as a reflection of life.  Funny at times, moving at others, this is a film that pulls you in and doesn't let go as it reveals the story of Billy and Jane's on-again, off-again relationship...all whilst Billy re-evaluates his past and his future on the mound.  As much as anything, For Love of the Game is about mistakes made, lessons learned, second chances and, ultimately, victories snatched from the jaws of defeat.  You'd never guess it, but this is really a very small story with a very big heart, one that reaches out not only to those who have ever loved the game, but also to those who have simply ever loved...

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

Helen M. gives this movie  stars: "This movie has a little bit of everything. It was romatic too." (6/10/00)

David Rogers gives this movie  stars: "A nice baseball movie. I had to pee by the seventh inning, though." (5/3/00)

rmd316@moonman.com gives this movie  stars. (3/18/00)