For Love of the Game

Normally it would be a mistake for a baseball-themed movie like "For Love of the Game" to be almost as long as one of the real-life contests.

But this film's seeming weaknesses, which also include incredibly contrived plotting, soap opera-like sappiness and extreme predictability, are actually some of its biggest strengths. And the filmmakers may have come up with an ideal movie formula — a mix of rousing sports scenes (for the guys) and a gooey, romantic central story line (for the ladies).

As mentioned, it's probably an idea that shouldn't work. Director Sam Raimi, whose works include the "Evil Dead" comic horror movies and last year's superb thriller "A Simple Plan," certainly doesn't sound like the right person for the job, and star Kevin Costner hasn't been good in anything for years.

However, this odd pairing somehow works cinematically, and the results suggest that maybe Costner shouldn't be allowed to make anything but movies set on or around the baseball diamond.

Here he plays Billy Chapel, an aging pitcher for the Detroit Tigers nearing retirement. In fact, that decision is being pushed on him by the Tigers owner, Gary Wheeler (Brian Cox), who is in the process of selling the team, as well as trading Billy to another one — though very reluctantly.

If that wasn't bad enough, Billy's long-simmering relationship with beautiful magazine writer Jane Aubrey (Kelly Preston) appears to be over, especially since Jane is moving to England for a new job and Billy seems unwilling to make some sort of long-term commitment, which might keep her in the states.

So needless to say, he has a lot on his mind as he prepares to take the field against the New York Yankees — a game that means little in the standings but one that might also be his swansong. As the innings roll on and Billy begins flirting with a no-hitter, he begins to reflect on decisions he's made that have brought him to this point in his life.

Raimi's obvious visual talents — his early efforts were basically live-action cartoons — serve him well with the baseball scenes, which are pretty convincing. He also does a superb job of building up and then maintaining tension during the on-field sequences.

Surprisingly, even the leisurely pacing for the romantic story line doesn't seem to hurt the movie and in fact helps the character development seem more convincing, particularly the subplot about Billy relating to Jane's rebellious daughter (Jena Malone).

Also, Raimi gets fine performances from the talented supporting cast, particularly character actor John C. Reilly as Billy's long-time catcher and confidante.

But it's really Costner's show, and he really shines. He and Preston, who appears to be channeling Meg Ryan at her froopiest, make a very appealing on-screen couple. And he brings athleticism to his part, without which the film probably wouldn't have worked.

"For Love of the Game" is rated PG-13 for profanity (including the so-called "R-rated" curse word), use of vulgar slang terms and gestures, as well as a crude gag, brief simulated sex and brief gore.