Movie Maven: 'Million Dollar Arm'
May 15, 2014
MPR's Movie Maven and Cube Critic Stephanie Curtis joins Steve Seel and Jill Riley to talk about a new sports film starring Jon Hamm. The film is based on a real story.
Hamm plays a sports agent named J.B. Bernstein who hasn't been able to sign any big names, so he comes up with the idea to look into an untapped market. J.B. and a colleague decide to go to India to find a cricket bowler who could be converted into a baseball pitcher good enough to get signed to the Major Leagues.
"It's a corny, big-hearted, dopey, Disney sports movie about learning the true meaning of sports and life," Stephanie says, "but I liked it."
Jill asks if it's possible to get past Hamm's connection to his Mad Men character, Don Draper. Stephanie commends Hamm's acting and she also compliments the work of Lake Bell, who plays J.B.'s love interest.
Also notable is the film's soundtrack, which was developed by the same people involved in Slumdog Millionaire.
"It's interesting enough to bring your grandmother to and an eight-year-old to and still enjoy it," Stephanie says. Listen to the audio track above to hear the complete review.
Million Dollar Arm is rated PG. The film opens tomorrow and will be playing at theaters everywhere.
MPR's Movie Maven, Stephanie Curtis, joins The Current's Morning Show to talk about films every Friday at 8:30 a.m.