Running time: 138 minutes
Starring: Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, John C Reilly, Jena Malone, Brian Cox
Rating 3 out of 10
On two previous occasions, Kevin Costner has hit home runs in romantic dramas anchored in the topsy-turvy world of baseball: Bull Durham in 1988 and Field Of Dreams in 1989. Sadly, he strikes out badly on his third visit to the plate in this lifeless vanity pic about a middle-aged man raking over the warm coals of a
failed long-term relationship.Costner plays Billy Chapel, aging star pitcher with the Detroit Tigers who has been the heart and soul of the team for the past 20 years under the friendly guidance of owner Gary Wheeler (Brian Cox).
On the eve of a vitally important championship game against the New York Yankees, Billy is dealt a double blow. Firstly Wheeler confides that the new owners of the Tigers intend to sell him next season; and secondly the love of his life, fashion magazine writer Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston), announces that she is leaving for a top notch job in London.
The following day, standing on the pitcher's mound in front of tens of thousands of fans, Billy begins to re-evaluate the direction his life has taken, remembering key moments from the past fortysomething years. As the game progresses, Billy concludes that he has some extremely important decisions to make by the end of the ninth inning - decisions that will determine his future as an athlete, and also as a man.
Based on the novel by Michael Shaara, which is presumably a great deal more convincing and lively than Dana Stevens's screenplay, For Love Of The Game proves what many have long suspected: that Costner has neither the charisma nor the acting range to make a convincing and appealing romantic lead.
His performance lacks energy and depth. The scene in which he breaks down in floods of tears in his hotel room is shot from the other side of the room presumably because if the camera were any closer, we'd all be able to see that there's not a single drop of saltwater anywhere in his eyes.
There is absolutely no spark between Costner and Preston, whose character wants to be funny, charming, smart and feisty but - thanks to shortfalls in the screenplay - comes across as either a bit of a doormat, or an ice maiden. Her most human and sympathetic moments tend to revolve around her daughter Heather, and these scenes succeed on the most part thanks to Jena Malone's wonderful supporting turn.
Director Raimi is renowned for his witty and innovative visual style but here he fails to impose himself on the picture. The camera is disappointingly static throughout, and the moments of greatest invention are overused.
The film degenerates into cloying sentiment for its ridiculous conclusion, blatantly ripping off Jerry Maguire, copying Jerry's final heartfelt plea to his wife almost word for word. If only Costner had a fraction of the spirit, energy and emotional depth of Tom Cruise, then For Love Of The Game might actually be worth watching.
