I saw this film by Billy Crystal yesterday while I was resting at home and I must say, that for a baseball idiot like me, I truly truly enjoyed the show. Now, I'm not exactly an ardent fan of baseball but after watching this show, I finally understood what 'home run' meant.

I wanted to switch channels when I saw baseball (oh dreadful...) but I was somehow stuck to watching it till the end. Probably because it was Billy Crystal who directed it and also possibly because it suggested a show that went back to history about a true individual. And I, for one, love film biographies about remarkable characters.

One movie I find really honest and riveting. It's a heartfelt movie, with a glint of humour and it really touches one's heart (and tear ducts). It doesn't just focuses on the game but also touches other sentimental issues.

The story is about a plain-spoken Yankee, Roger Maris and his record-breaking 61 home runs in a single season beating Babe Ruth's 60th. It follows his friendship with golden boy Mickey Mantle and his goal to play well, win and go home to his family. How he was belittled by the media, abused by the 'fans' and made to look like the bad guy just because he's not a people person, can really break an audience's heart.

The frustrations he kept inside, stress and courage really got to me. At one point, due to alot of stress, his hair started falling off. And all he wanted to do was to win the nation's heart.

Crystal did a splendid job in showcasing Roger Maris's confusion and troubled emotions. I must say Barry Pepper too did a wonderful job in portraying Roger Maris. The actors would've done the legendary 1950s - 1960s Yankees proud.

It's a good movie and I strongly recommend it. Somehow I feel nobody bothers to read this long post because of the lack of interest, but to those who did... go catch this brilliant film. If I were to teach Literature, this is one movie I would love to share with the kids.



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