Plot: What’s it about?
When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a baseball player. I think every kid did. That never happened, but then again I never really pursued that dream. I used to collect baseball cards and went to my local major league’s team games (The Kansas City Royals), but that really wasn’t enough to make me want to devote my life to it. But, there are countless other lads who did and it’s amazing how good a professional athlete really is. Where am I going with this? My parents never really pushed me to do things like that. For every Tiger Woods whose overbearing father created a superstar, there are parents like mine who just wanted their children to grow up happy. And that’s where we have The Phenom, a relatively obscure avant garde ‘studio’ film about America’s Pastime. Admittedly I’d never heard of the movie, but with some of the actors involved (including Paul Giamatti, whose father Bart, was the Commissioner of Baseball at one time) I figured it was worth a look.
The story follows a major league rookie who is having trouble focusing during games, and he’s sent to a therapist to work it out. Dr. Mobley (Giamatti) does his best, but Hopper (Johnny Simmons) pushes back, showing signs of his father’s influence, and makes Dr. Mobley face his own past. Hopper Sr. (Ethan Hawke) who is about as overbearing as a parent can get while still technically having their kids’ best interest at heart (probably not a true statement, but one can hope they don’t get worse). Flashbacks show Hopper Sr. returning home from a stint in jail only to start pushing Hopper again against the will of his mother before ultimately returning to jail. It is horrible that he constantly yells at his son, but, on the other hand, it did get results and Hopper made it to the major league; though with his talent, he probably could have made it without the pressure that now affects his mentality.
Speaking as someone who watches Major League at least once a year, The Phenom is about as opposite as that as you can get. It’s a gritty, field level version of the sport and what it takes to get to the big time. And it’s not easy. Some people might love this movie because it shows the drama and internal struggle of a man trying to break away from his father’s abuse; an old tale that is told well-enough here. Others may like it because of the actors who are mostly phenomenal in their roles; I haven’t seen all of Giamatti’s movies, but I have yet to find one where I didn’t like his performance. Or people might like it because it shows that money cannot buy happiness. Whatever side you’re on, the film is worth a look for sure.
Video: How’s it look?
Though there’s very little baseball in the film, I’m still classifying it as a “baseball” movie, per se. Flesh tones are warm and natural and the detail is bumped up significantly too. There are a few scenes with the slightest bit of grain associated with them, but they’re few and far between. Detail is pitch perfect (sorry, couldn’t resist), contrast is strong and solid and I was hard-pressed to find much, if anything, wrong with the image. It’s a good-looking Blu-ray.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The included DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack is, by and large, dialogue driven. Again, this movie falls into the “sports” genre, but most of the ambiance was just some background noise. Vocals are rich and pure, Ethan Hawke’s raspy voice resonates through the speakers. The front stage shoulders most of the burden and though surrounds are present, they’re not much of a factor.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Interview with the Cast of The Phenom – Pretty much as the title suggests, this is a standard EPK of some interviews with the cast and crew of the film.
- Photo Gallery
The Bottom Line
Sports movies and baseball ones in particular are becoming more of a rarity. Baseball still is “America’s Pastime” but more emphasis seems to be on football and basketball (according to me, at least). Still The Phenom features a pretty solid cast, a good story and for fans of the sport it’s well worth a watch.
