Hardball: Blu-Ray Review
In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, Paramount has released the Keanu Reeves drama, Hardball onto Blu-ray for the first time.
Directed by Brian Robbins (Varsity Blues, Norbit), this 2001 sports-drama based on the book by Daniel Coyle centers on ticket scalper, Conor O’Neill (Reeves), a gambling addict whose life is spiraling as he keeps racking up debt owed to various bookies. Conor asks an old friend for a loan, but instead is given a job coaching a little league baseball team in the housing projects for $500 per week. Conner obviously doesn’t want the job. However, he takes it anyways since he is clearly out of options.
At first, Conner is disinterested in his young players, which includes a young Michael B. Jordan as Jamal. The new coach just wants the time to pass by and collect his weekly check. Still, it is only a matter of time before he starts liking the kids, as well as their teacher Elizabeth Wilkins (Diane Lane).
Upon release, Hardball was mostly panned by credits for being a manipulative, paint-by-numbers affair that was little more than a shallow drama led by an expressionless Reeves. Maybe those statements are true, but still, I always liked the film and two decades later it still makes me tear up during the tragic moment in the film’s final quarter. All the kids here are great, especially DeWayne Warren who played Jarius ‘G-Baby’ Evans. I liked the film 20 years ago and my feelings haven’t changed since.
Bonus Features:
- Commentary by director Brian Robbins and writer John Gatins
- The Making of Hardball
- Deleted Scenes
- Music Video – “Hardball” by Lil’ Bow Wow, Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ Zane and Sammie
- Interstitials
- Theatrical Trailer
By: Marc Ferman