Chasing 3000 (2010)

 “Year ago in the old Forbes Field…Ya ever seen a game in Forbes Field? The Pirates were playing the Cardinals and there’s this foul ball that goes into the stands along the Right Field line. Clemente, he can’t quite reach it.  This man, he caught it and he felt all good and fuzzy and happy y’know and then this really big burly guy next to him, reaches over and wrestles it away from him.  So between innings, Clemente, he comes over and he gives the man another ball.  Up until that day, Stan the Man had always been me and my ma’s favorite player, but after that. no ballplayer meant more to us than Clemente…Nobody!!!  You boys know how lucky you are to go to that game tonight?” – Chuck Ireland

Number of Times Seen – 1 (3 Apr 2016)

Brief Synopsis – Two teenagers make a road trip from California to Pittsburgh in 1972 in order to get to see Roberto Clemente get his 3000th hit.

My Take on it – Well, since today is Opening Day for Baseball 2016, I once again decided to watch another baseball movie to get me in the mood.

Roberto Clemente was an amazing player and the idea of two teens traveling across the country to watch him get his historic 3000th hit seems like a great premise for a movie. (especially since it’s based on truth)

Unfortunately, the way the story is told and how it unfolds just doesn’t work well enough.

Overall, it feel’s too much like fluff instead of being an inspirational movie like one dealing with the great Humantiarian Clemente should.

Both of the young actors who play the brothers Rory Culkin and Trevor Morgan are pretty good here, but since the story itself feels quite choppy and the characters aren’t developed enough, we care less than we should about their situation and quest.

There are a few very inspirational scenes (like the emotional ones featuring David Keith and M. Emmett Walsh) and they help show the potential this movie had and squandered.

Unfortunately, as a whole, this film feels lacking instead of inspiring and comes across as just average.

Bottom Line – Very nice premise, but I didn’t like the way it was executed.  Felt too much like fluff instead of an inspirational story of a youthful adventure.  The young actors are both great here, but the story feels too choppy and we don’t really get to know them well enough to care for them.  The few inspirational scenes are done very well, but as a whole, the film is a bit lacking.

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Trevor Morgan who played the teenage Mickey in this movie played a young Jim Morris in another baseball movie The Rookie (2002). (From IMDB)

Rating – BAFTA Worthy

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