Friday, March 09, 2007
SLUGGER
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was
with Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig and Teresa Wrigh, his wife.
There was not a dry eye in the house. Even Franklin whimpered a bit.
The 'iron man' contracted Lou Gehrig's disease in his 16th year of playing for the Yankees.
Wait a minute. He couldn't have had Lou Gehrig's disease. Everyone since has. We even know someone who does.
He had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
It is often said that this is one of the best baseball pictures ever made.
I beg to differ.
There is little here about the game itself. It is mostly about the courting and marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gehrig.
It is good, no doubt. Just not a lot of baseball.
I will have to think about what is the best baseball picture. Maybe Bull Durham.
One big thing about this is that the real Babe Ruth plays himself!
I have never seen him in a film. He seems to be a buffoon or even an asshole but we do get to see him.
I liked the film and I teared up on queue but that is not a reason for this to be a great film. It is a formula. The Sam Goldwyn machine.
It worked, no doubt. But few of the films were great.
The word 'corny' comes to mind.
I was not immune the ending; Gehrig's speech at his last appearance at Yankee Stadium. It was and is very moving.
I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
