Let's be realistic.

Best movie of this year hands down!

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

I didn't watch this with any great expectations. A relatively unknown cast and what appears to be a pretty small budget (given that they didn't pay MLB to use real baseball team names.But, The production values were all pretty solid. Camera work was definitely top notch.The lead actor was great. I think this guy will be a rising star, hopefully in action movies. Handsome, talented actors with athletic builds are a rare commodity. The supporting cast wasn't great, but didn't stand out as terrible. Even the kids were solid enough.The characters felt real, and there were some feel-good, touching moments and surprises.My only complaints were: The decisions made by the MLB teams/league around the player seemed incredibly unrealistic. It's a little preachy near the end, and the ending gets a bit predictable.

The movie has very little to do with baseball. It is about major league ball player addicted to alcohol, and hits rock bottom. His father was also a drunk and abusive. He is forced into a 12 step Christian based program at a church in his hometown. He returns to his home town and helps coach a little league team. He co-coaches with his ex girlfriend and mother of his illegitimate son, who is also on the team. The boy doesn't know the man is his father. There is a lot of religious reflection and depiction of people who are addicted to sex, drugs, and-or have been abused in someway. The plot is nothing new and a bit weak, even for a Christian movie.The acting is top notch. Particularly Scott Elrod as Cory. The man playing the head of the Christian 12 step program, looks realistic and seems like he may have had some serious problems. (Little creepy) Most of the other addicts were just as odd and good at acting. They didn't look like actors.The photography is good, the scenery is realistic, and depicts a depressed small town with an amazing number of people with various addictive issues.If this movie were tightened up to an hour it would be much better.There are a few 'feel' slightly good moments but very few. The main problem is the attempt for atmosphere which is taking over so many movies to stretch them into a full length movie. Lots and lots of music and camera angles always indicates the plot is thin.As a Christian based movie, this is one of the better ones and holds back on the judgmental issues, well done but slow and dragging.

It is rare that you see a film where everything works. Great acting and script. The photography was very good--too many films are playing around with lighting that is distracting. Usually because they have a bad script. This script sets just the right tone and it was a story that made sense-- and didn't disappoint. Made for a really enjoyable time. Highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed. Scott Elrod's performance is perfect. Not only does he look like a ball player, he is a fine actor. There is a naturalness about his performance that is enjoyable to watch. The chemistry between him and Dorian Brown and Charles Wyson is very pleasant to watch. This film is a real HOME RUN! Go and see it--you will enjoy it.

All right, while I'm aware the purpose of this movie is the promotion of a recovery program that promotes the worthiness of Jesus Christ, the way this tale of a major league baseball player whose alcoholic ways get him in hot water which then has him teaching a Little League team that happens to have his biological son in it with his mother-and the player's former lover-also involved was such a touching and inspirational drama that any potentially preachy moments didn't kick in until nearly the end and by then, one can believe the transformation of the leading character. Really, there's nothing much else to say except I do indeed recommend Home Run if you go for this sort of thing.