Million Dollar Arm

I didn't see this movie until weeks after its release date and I am sorry I waited. I see it as a combination of three movies: "Cool Runnings", "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Moneyball". Just like the Jamaican bobsled team, you have some underdog athletes from a foreign country who have to adapt to a North American culture. The main protagonist of the movie however is a sport agent who is trying something never attempted before in baseball. "Million Dollar Arm" also highlights India and its culture thanks to its music and cast members.

I did not care for "Moneyball" mostly because it barely featured any baseball. While the same could be said for this movie, I would argue that the scouting, training and tryout sequences qualify as sports action. Rinku and Dinesh may not be in any games in the film but they are trying to accomplish the same goal as any major league pitcher, which is speed and accuracy. I had a feeling I was in for a good movie once JB has his little fit in the car at the start. I liked the subsequent moment when he gets the idea for going to India after cricket players. This plot point is cliché but it is still executed well. At first I thought the use of "I Dreamed a Dream" was to symbolize the goals that JB has and I didn't even make the connection with "Britain's Got Talent" as a reality show. Because of the India scenes, "Million Dollar Arm" feels like two movies. This kind of approach is important because India must feel as opposite from Los Angeles as possible so as to make the athletes true underdogs. Every sports movie has highs and lows. Sometimes the protagonists are doing well and other times they hit rock bottom. It works in this movie because the filmmakers were not just simply following a traditional story pattern. Rather, the make earnest attempts to make the story original. Sure the movie may not be original enough for some but it was for me. I like conformity if it is done sincerely. One thing that I have against "Million Dollar Arm" is that the trailer spoiled a dramatic moment in the film. The handwritten message on the TV that Amit, Rinku and Dinesh leave for JB is meant to tease the audience into thinking that they have flown back to India after failing the major league tryout. Those of us who saw the previews for the movie know that we have yet to see the Indian dinner with Brenda all dressed up and thus don't fall for the tease. Amit was such a great character that it surprised me. I didn't expect this guy who suddenly shows up to stick around in the story and pull off a dramatic moment at the end of the film. The whole movie was relatable and personal for a variety of people. You can be an athlete, a businessman or an average Joe and get something out of "Million Dollar Arm".

I have unknowing seen Jon Hamm in movies before but I consider this is my first movie of his. I was impressed for my first time seeing him in a starring role. While Bill Paxton's work was so-so, Oscar-winner Alan Arkin was able to be familiar and a unique at the same time. I had seen Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal before in "Life of Pi" and "Slumdog Millionaire" respectively but they delivered such performances that those past roles didn't come to mind during the viewing of the film, even though "Life of Pi" only just came out. Musical composer A.R. Rahman did an amazing job with the score, especially in creating a different feeling between the US and India. He was a perfect choice because of his work on "Slumdog Millionaire" (which won him two Oscars) and "127 Hours".

Disney sports films have become their own genre and may not appeal to everyone because they are too similar to one another. The use of India really helps to create originality in the case of "Million Dollar Arm". Some might think the movie is predictable but Jon Hamm and the other filmmakers were able to keep you in a passive state as you watch and thus keep you entertained.

4 Stars