AGW entertainment writer Lynn b. went to a preview screening of a new film. Here are her thoughts on:

HARDBALL

Bad News Bears it ain't. Hardball, says its director Brian Robbins, "..is a movie about kids for adults" (or at least kids age 13 and up). Keanu Reeves plays a hardened gambler who is about to crash and burn. When he gets "stuck" coaching a Chicago inner-city baseball team, it's not a "here comes whitey to save the day" thing. It's the kids who "save" Keanu's character.

In Chicago, Conor O'Neill (Keanu Reeves) is a loser; a full-time gambler addicted to betting on sports events. He owes a bookie over six thousand bucks and will be killed if he can't make some big payments soon. When his stock broker friend Jimmy (Mike McGlone) arranges for Conor to coach an inner-city kids' baseball team in exchange for five hundred a week, he has no choice but to agree. Conor finds out that his team (the Kekambas) won't be able to play unless he gets a couple more players. The boys' teacher Mrs. Wilkes (Diane Lane) says grades must go up or no baseball. Conor is immediately attracted to the pretty young teacher.

Finally, with a full team, Conor still must get the boys to stop scrapping among themselves and work on honing their baseball skills. He's also up against Ticky Tobin (John Hawkes) a gambling buddy who constantly tries to drag him deeper into debt. The young team members face the hardships of housing project life and Conor must outsmart a rival coach who is trying to disqualify some of the Kekamba team members. Despite heavy odds, Conor and his boys manage to triumph and the hardened gambler regains his soul.
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Based upon the book "Hardball: A Season in the Projects" by Daniel Coyle, this wonderful little film pulls off a great balancing act that should please film goers of all races and almost all ages (I don't recommend it for kids younger than 13). Yes, a white guy comes into the ghetto and helps some black kids gain self-esteem and direction BUT, the same kids teach this bottom-feeding gambler that there's a lot to be gained from the solid bond of true teamwork. There are devastating moments that will make you cry and some really fun laughs as well. Direction by Brian Robbins (Varsity Blues) is excellent.

Teens and young adults should really enjoy the film. The music from hip hoppers 'Lil Bow Wow, Jagged Edge, Notorious B.I.G. , etc. is a fun listen and both Keanu Reeves and Diane Lane are very believable in their roles (This is the best work I've seen Keanu do in a long time). Not since Bull Durham and The Natural have I rooted so hard for a team to win. You CARE about these kids. One small player has to run a frightening gauntlet of gang violence just to make it home safely from practice. It's especially touching when, while walking one of his young players down the boy's apartment building hallway, Keanu's character asks him why everyone in the building seems to be sitting on the floor. He's told that nobody stands near a window because of bullets.

Many of the young actors in the film were recruited from the Chicago projects and their combination of innocence and street-wise honesty shines through every performance. You should be warned that these kids use some pretty tough language. Acting tough to protect yourself is common practice where they live.If your parents feel you should see this film, you'll find that it has a heart of gold. Take your parents if possible. It can only bring you closer together.

Rated PG-13

Paramount Pictures
Official Website: www.hardballmovie.com

Directed by: Brian Robbins
Screenplay by: John Gatins based upon the book by Daniel Coyle
Starring:
Keanu Reeves as Conor O'Neill
Diane Lane as Elizabeth Wilkes
Brian Hawkes as Ticky Tobin
Bryan C. Herne as Andre Ray Peetes
Michael Jordan as Jamal
DeWayne Warren as "G-Baby" Evans
Michael Perkins as Kofi Evans