The Rookie **** (2002, Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Brian Cox, Jay Hernandez, Beth Grant) – Classic Movie Review 4,114

Dennis Quaid gives a strong, charismatic performance in the 2002 film The Rookie as Jim Morris, who debuted in US Major League Baseball at the age of 35. Rachel Griffiths plays his neglected wife, and Brian Cox does well, though oddly cast as Quaid’s dad. 

Director John Lee Hancock’s 2002 movie The Rookie is a warm-hearted, expertly done, fact-based Walt Disney Pictures drama about a Texas former professional baseball player called Jim Morris, who debuted in US Major League Baseball at the age of 35. He is a Texas high school chemistry teacher and coach of the school’s baseball team who vows to make it back to the big time as a coach and take his team back into the Major Leagues.

Hitting a home run, Dennis Quaid gives a strong, charismatic performance as a man obsessed to the point of neglecting his wife Lorri (Rachel Griffiths) and family. Live action family film The Rookie treads familiar territory, but it turns out to be a little winner. It’s Quaid at his best, Griffiths gives a highly competent turn and Scotland’s Brian Cox does well, even if he is oddly cast as Quaid’s dad.

Jay Hernandez.

Also in the cast are Jay Hernandez as Joaquin ‘Wack’ Campos, Beth Grant, Angus T Jones, Rick Gonzalez, Chad Lindberg, Angelo Spizzirri, Royce D Applegate, Russell Richardson, Raynor Scheine (as Frank), David Blackwell, Blue Deckert, Daniel Kamin, Rebecca Spicher, J.D. Evermore (Relief Pitcher) and Seth Spiker.

Mike Rich’s screenplay is based on a true story.

It was a hit. Costing $22 million, it earned $80.7 million at the box office.

Raynor Scheine (born as Raynor Johnson on 19 January 1942) is also known for Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, My Cousin Vinny, Fried Green Tomatoes and Transamerica.

The cast are Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris, Rachel Griffiths as Lorri Morris, Jay Hernandez as Joaquin ‘Wack’ Campos, Beth Grant as Olline, Angus T Jones as Hunter Morris, Brian Cox as Jim Morris Sr, Rick Gonzalez as Rudy Bonilla (Owls pitcher), Chad Lindberg as Joe David Werst, Angelo Spizzirri as Joel De La Garza (Owls catcher), Matt Williams as Owls Player #1, Royce D Applegate as Henry, Russell Richardson as Brooks, Raynor Scheine as Frank, David Blackwell as Cal, Chris Sheffield as Snow Covered Catcher, Blue Deckert as Baseball Scout Dave Patterson, Danny Kamin [Daniel Kamin] as Durham Manager Mac, Mike Smith as Fan, Kyle Christensen as Baseball Player, Robbie Bigelow as Beefcake Bigelow, Jim Morris as Orlando Umpire #2, and Trevor Morgan as young Jimmy.

Raynor Scheine (born as Raynor Johnson on 19 January 1942) is also known for Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, My Cousin Vinny and Transamerica.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4,114

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