The Phenom

(THE GREAT SANDLOTINI)

Series of conversations about suspicion, angst and a suffocating father-and-son relationship -- Hopper was raised by a flawed pitcher to be as tough, considering everyone as opponents -- form a powerful tale about success in America -- and the hard time it gives to those who relentlessly follow it. Also, it's pretty amazing how Buschel always finds an original and not-secular way to film even the most ordinary of the scenes -- POV shots, Nouvelle Vague focus, dialogues shot like monologues.

if you're here for baseball or sports psychology you might find this offering a little shallow. However,if you want to wrap a bat around some arsehole's head then Hawke's character is great motivation

Tackling a subject rarely discussed in movies, let alone professional sports, THE PHENOM lets down its audience by pulling focus away from its intense psychological character study. The self-conscious direction announces itself in every frame, detracting from an otherwise interesting story and solid performances.

This film is distressing. While tension and suffocation are the central themes of the film, it's not easy to watch. Simmons and Hawke are very effective, however the writing fails to find an equilibrium for the viewer. The film captures the tension of its subject very well, but it's simply too much to digest and consequently doesn't translate well into a satisfying film.