The Rookie

2002 "Sometimes dreams come back to life."
6.9| 2h7m| G| en
Details

Jim Morris never made it out of the minor leagues before a shoulder injury ended his pitching career twelve years ago. Now a married-with-children high-school chemistry teacher and baseball coach in Texas, Jim's team makes a deal with him: if they win the district championship, Jim will try out with a major-league organization. The bet proves incentive enough for the team, and they go from worst to first, making it to state for the first time in the history of the school. Jim, forced to live up to his end of the deal, is nearly laughed off the try-out field--until he gets onto the mound, where he confounds the scouts (and himself) by clocking successive 98 mph fastballs, good enough for a minor-league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Jim's still got a lot of pitches to throw before he makes it to The Show, but with his big-league dreams revived, there's no telling where he could go.

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Reviews

Micitype Pretty Good
Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
Desertman84 The Rookie tells the inspiring story of Jim Morris,who became a Major League baseball player at age 35.It stars Dennis Quaid,who portrayed Morris together with Rachel Griffiths,Jay Hernandez and Brian Cox.This film directed by John Lee Hancock narrates two inspiring stories.First,it deals with Jim Morris' stint as a Chemistry teacher and the school's - Big Lake High School - baseball team coach.Then,it provides the story on Jim's road of taking another shot dream of playing in the Major League from the try outs to the pitching his first game as a relief pitcher of the Tampa Bay Blue Rays. It is apparent that the film has a target audience - young adults - about not giving up on their dreams and about reaching the impossible goals that seems to be far fetched.Despite the fact that there is evidence of sign-posted plots and that the events that follow seem to be predictable to the viewer,it manages to become compelling and interesting due to Dennis Quaid's honest portrayal of Jim Morris.His performance allows us to see through the man who has a not-so-good relationship with his father and someone who felt unfulfilled in his favorite sport after he failed to play in the Majors due to many arm injuries that he has suffered.In addition to that,we also get to see someone who is concerned with his students and his perpetually losing baseball team to achieve greater heights.Finally,we get to see him as a caring father to his kids and a loving husband.These qualities made the viewer cheer for him all throughout the movie.What's also great about this sports family drama is it features two inspiring stories: Big Lake's winning the district championship and Morris' success on becoming the oldest rookie in the Majors.These stories teach the viewer never to give up; and that working hard and having heart in pursuing one's dream provides a better chance into coming into fruition.These lessons will definitely provide inspiration to the viewer in whatever goals and ambition that he has in mind.In summary,The Rookie is definitely one of the best sports film for the young audience out there.
dk1517-463-296753 My only criticism of this movie is that it's a bit long, as they try to fit two stories into one. Would've been fairly easy to make an entire movie of the first half--a baseball coach who inspires his under- achieving team to rally and win district, then an entirely different movie of the second half--a 30-something science teacher giving himself one last chance to make the big leagues.For me, this movie is right up there with other great sports movies, such as Hoosiers, Miracle, and Chariots of Fire. Perhaps not quite at that level, but the story is great and definitely inspiring. Even if you're not a baseball fan, you can appreciate the emphasis this movie puts on the realities and pressures that families face every day in balancing work and taking care of the kids. And I love that they bring out the challenges of minor league baseball--long bus rides, very little income, and away from family for months at a time.My favorite scene is after Jim finishes his tryout and is walking back to his truck, the scout comes up to tell him that he, although almost twice the other kids' age, actually threw 98 mph. The scout tells Jim that if he doesn't call it in he's gonna get fired and that Jim can expect to get a phone call. Just wish he'd throw away the dirty diaper!
arsportsltd Dennis Quaid is so good in this movie and I enjoyed the film 'The Rookie' tremendously. Sports movies sometimes are hard to put across but this fine film excels and all hands involved in this film deserve thanks for a fine effort. Mr. Quaid is so likable in this movie it is one of his best outings. I also liked the quasi religious theme in the beginning and end of the movie with the Catholic nuns. The Rookie is a fine movie extolling excellence and team sportsmanship. Fine supporting performances, fine cinematography. Fine everything. See this movie!!The Rookie would be a good spin off to a weekly TV showDavid Barra ARSports Ltd Los Angeles
Logan C This movie is a good family movie that has the usual rags to riches story. If you are an avid baseball enthusiast, you are going to be disappointed. This movie very poorly portrays the game of baseball. The story is quickly moving sometimes, and other times it is very slow. T he camera work is way to flashy at many points and is a good cause of a headache. The acting is OK, but not as good as expected for Dennis Quaid. The fact that the movie is set on a true story, many things seem unrealistic and very Disney like. Overall, the movie is a disappointing film that seemed to be over hyped and very average. This movie is average but is a good family movie to waste a rainy day.