Dennis Quaid Movie:

Editorial Review:
Jim Morris, the real-life hero of The Rookie, has an inspirational story all but guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face. Happily, this G-rated Disney drama, based on Morris's published memoir of the same title, is suitable for an all-ages audience. Blessed with an awesome fastball, Morris nursed dreams of pitching for Major League Baseball during his 20s; injuries and bad luck, however, forced him to give up hope and become a teacher and coach. Years later, pressed by students and colleagues to try out for "the Show" one more time, Morris discovered he still had a powerful arm, and he was signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Rookie is at its best throughout this first chapter in Morris's midlife adventure, though the rest of the film finds fresh angles on more familiar baseball-movie conventions. Dennis Quaid is soulful and charismatic as Morris, perfect in his depiction of a man both thankful and startled that destiny has given one of the good guys his due. Appropriate for ages 4 and up. --Tom Keogh

The Rookie [Region 2] Reviews:
Excellent Baseball Movie! (Even if you're not into sports movies)
2009-12-16 - I thoroughly enjoyed THE ROOKIE, and there is only a very small handful of sports movies I like. THE ROOKIE is the true story of an aging, small-town Texas high baseball coach and science teacher names Jim Morris who just happened to have a faster draw than Glenn Ford. (If you're too young to know who Glenn Ford is then you might need to research the "Westerns" section.)

This film is uniquely told with a short prologue that is so unique and creative, that no sports movie director would ever have come up with such a thing. The film opens and progresses showing the continuous nature of American life through the eyes of a young boy whose dreams are bigger than his feet can carry him. But not too late in life, his dream and childhood passion is fully realized and the reward for him is timeless, just as the reward for us results an unforgettable and inspiring movie watching.

I might add that this movie is clean family viewing. You can watch it with you pastor's grandmother in the room and not have to be embarrassed about anything. (Occasionally, though not very often, Hollywood does something right.)

Another more classic baseball movie that I highly recommend (and also a true story) is THE STRATTON STORY starring Jimmy Stewart, June Allyson, and Frank Morgan.

Movie that makes a grown man cry
2009-12-14 - Strongly recommend this movie. Dennis Quaid is awesome. Also, Brian Cox has a great role as the main character's father.

Rookie makes its pitch for best baseball movie ever...
2009-08-12 - Director John Lee Hancock masterminds a movie based on a true story of an over-30 baseball player who makes a comeback and finds himself with another shot at the major leagues. Dennis Quaid plays Jim Morris, who actually played for the Tampa Bay Rays as a relief pitcher.I've seen "The Rookie" so many times that I feel like I was behind the plate,catching a Morris fastball. "Field of Dreams","The Natural",and for that matter Kevin Costner's portrayal of Billy Chapel in "For the Love of the Game", all have an underlying theme along with "The Rookie" and that is the relationship between father and son.In "The Rookie" that relationship is strained and if the ending doesn't get to you...nothing will.

Really Good Movie!
2009-06-26 - This movie was excellent. Great story, great cast. I am a huge sports nut and I could watch this any number of times and not get tired of it. Great job by Quaid and the rest of the cast. The DVD got here fast, undamaged, and as advertised.

A Great Baseball Movie For All
2009-06-25 - There is something special about "true" sports stoires to me, and I enjoy the stories where a player reaches a dream. such as Invincible.

The Rookie fits the mold, as it follows Jim Morris, a pitcher who never made it all the way to play ball, but fell short. But he got one more chance and was able to make it to the big league. (In fact I remember rooting for him on the comeback trail when the story developed.)

Dennis Quaid is great as Morris, and you cannothelp but root for him. The movie is very well done, not being overly melodramatic or too "rah-rah" as the story develops to the point where Morris plays on a field of dreams.

This movie does not seem to get mentioned as often as other baseball movies that instantly come to mind, such as Bull Durham or A Field Of Dreams, but it is a very good one and deserves a place in any collection of baseball movies.