Rating: 2.5/5
Synopsis:
Based on the true story, “You Gotta Believe” showcases a heartfelt underdog story. A Little League team in Fort Worth, Texas has struggled to win games. But following the cancer diagnosis of a teammate’s father, the boys dedicate their upcoming season to him. On their journey to success, they find a newfound appreciation for teamwork, comradery, and something to believe in.
Positives:
I generally love both sports and underdog stories. “You Gotta Believe” has all the elements that go into crafting a heartfelt story. There are so many baseball movies that have comforted families over the years. Does this one make it into the pack? Well…somewhat. There are some undeniably charming sequences that feature teamwork, adapting, and uniting behind a common goal. Luke Wilson and Greg Kinnear headline the film nicely. Wilson plays the dad who is there for every game, providing the heart and soul of the film. Greg Kinnear steals the show though. His role as the manager is great, where he begins as a clueless coach who evolves into their determined leader. His dynamic as a full time lawyer who makes the necessary adjustments in these kid’s lives was really well done. He was motivated by the friendship he shared with the ailing father and the newfound appreciation for the teamwork he lacked for so long. There are some undeniably charismatic performances from some of the child actors as well.
Negatives:
As much as I wanted to love the film, it comes up short in a few important areas. The main piece that was underwhelming was the overall tone of the film. The back and forth between heavy drama and upbeat sports movie felt uneven. The jarring tone left me a bit confused as to what the central idea of the story was. I understand that the devastating family drama is a heavy subject but it wasn’t given enough room to develop. It feels explored on a surface level that didn’t register the emotional impact it needed to. Luke Wilson tries his hardest but the dialogue and material he’s given aren’t very strong. The story itself also felt undercooked. There isn’t much that makes the film notable considering the outcome of the story. The sports sequences were entertaining enough but the drama integrated throughout it didn’t mix well. Unfortunately I left the film feeling without the same upbeat spirit I normally would with a movie like this. It’s like a plain vanilla ice cream cone in a way. Tastes good enough while you’re having it but doesn’t leave much of an impression afterwards. That’s too bad because all of the pieces were there to be a great story.
Conclusion:
“You Gotta believe” is a perfectly adequate sports movie. It has some nice moments between the kids and a positive message at the core. But a bland story that fails to register the emotional impact it needed to make for a disappointing experience. It’s a perfectly watchable film in the right circumstance, just don’t expect a classic or a story that will leave a lasting impression.
