A Review of ‘You Gotta Believe’: A true Little League baseball movie that falls short of a hit
Two coaches of a lackluster Little League baseball team try to infuse their protégés with skill and confidence while keeping their eyes on a big prize.
‘You Gotta Believe’: A true Little League baseball movie that falls short of a hit
Cast: Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Sarah Gadon, Molly Parker, Lew Temple, Joaquin Roberts, Martin Roach, Patrick Renna, Blake Delong, Justin Adams, King Orba, Taylor Hunt Wright, Ali Hassan, Michael Cash, Etienne Kelleci, Nicholas Fry, Jacob Mazeral, Gavin MacIver-Wright, Scott MacKenzie, Zachery David Morton, Josh Reich, Jacob Soley, Evan Hasler, Davide Fair, Seth Murchison, Greg Ellwand, Christopher Seivright, Nicholas Xavier Ragonese, Zachary Cox, Phoenix Ellis, Jackie English, Ashley Emerson, Christopher Mio, David Alaimo, Don Shaxon, Douglas Breard, Harrison Burpee, Peter Hoy, Connor Ryu, Ryan Harry Mack, Daniel Krmpotic, Sandra Flores, Brooke Morton, Andina Roberts, Edgar Hill
Critic’s Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
Director: Ty Roberts
Duration: 1 hour, 44 minutes
Genre: Drama, Sports
Language: English
Release: 2024
What’s it about?
Two coaches of a lacklustre Little League baseball team try to infuse their protégés with skill and confidence while keeping their eyes on a big prize.
Review:
What we have here is a sincere attempt at carving out a sports drama from a true story about a feisty Little League baseball team and their fateful summer of 2002. However, despite some movie-star power, a bevy of characters and impressive scenes on the field, the film’s sentimental theme doesn’t quite hit home. However, the movie does make a mild statement about sporting competitiveness and the passion that goads aspiring athletes. Yet, though the actors all try hard, their efforts only expose a script that leaves something to be desired and an uneven narrative that leads to a partially satisfying conclusion.
You Gotta Believe opens with Jon Kelly (Greg Kinnear) and Bobby Ratliff (Luke Wilson) as manager and coach of the Westside Little League team from Fort Worth, Texas - that is winding up a disappointing local season. The former’s son Walker and the latter’s boy Robert “Rocket” Ratliff are especially disheartened at the outcome. Little do they know though, that their team’s summer is only beginning when Jon gets a shot at coaching them for a spot in the Little League World Series tournament. But there’s also ill fortune on the horizon for the senior Ratliff as he turns the recipient of a worrying bill of health.
The patient’s dream however, is to continue supporting his son’s progress on the diamond. This desire spurs on Jon to combat his own self-doubt and endeavour at transforming the team into a robust unit. Another friend – the vociferous Mitch Belew (Lew Temple) – also comes on board to whip the youngsters into shape. However, as the juniors strive to make their mark, the film lacks an adequate sequence that demonstrates their evolution into a force to be reckoned with. Also, the supportive roles played by Jon’s and Bobby’s wives – Cathy (Molly Parker) and Patti (Sarah Gadon) – are not entirely compelling or moving.
The interaction between the younger actors, who mostly comprise the evolving Little League team, glosses over their individual characters. But there is just about enough revelation to make them relatable and appealing. And so, the audience gets acquainted with the diminutive but feisty “Rocket” (Michael Cash), his outspoken brother “Peanut” (Joaquin Roberts), the wayward but talented pitcher Walker (Etienne Kellici), the romantic glamour boy Mark (Scott MacKenzie), the wily Jack (Jacob Soley), the diffident but aggressive Rand (Davide Fair), the impish and gutsy Mikey (Jacob Mazeral), the bespectacled and intrepid Scooter (Nicholas Fry)and the “star player” Chris (Seth Murchison). These young men encounter a moment of resolve that is sparked by their grown-up friend Sam (Martin Roach). But this instance lacks the incisiveness that it should, as is the case with a few other scenes that appear contrived or forced.
However, the spirit of these adolescent ball players and some good scenes of them in action, keeps the viewer watching till the end. Will it be victory all the way or a bittersweet wind-up? The moral of the story appears to be “It’s how you play the game that matters”. But we have heard that adage all too often, which leaves nothing really original to Bobby Ratliff's legacy. There are some motivational quotes and moments of endearing levity, but one can’t help but feel that these are few and far between. The hard rock background music - to reflect the youngsters playing hard ball - is appropriate and there’s a fitting country number that’s well placed. Ultimately, the undercurrent of humanity, ambition and teamwork helps keep this flick afloat, even for those who are not fans of baseball. Pay the price of admission and you won’t be totally dismayed with this ball game.
