“Million Dollar Arm” is a film based on a true story or the audience  would never believe the primace.  An American baseball scout , Jon Hamm from the very popular TV show “Madmen”, goes to India to scout Indian Cricket ‘bowlers” to go to the  US and become baseball pitchers.

The film is not just a baseball movie but visually compelling with the handsome cast, showing  the contrasts between Los Angles, and India, American ballparks and Indian Cricket fields and sand lots, the rich beauty and lush landscape of rural India, the bustling Indian cites and most of all the lovely Indian people who greet the Americans with warmth and hospitality.   The score is a beautiful  blend of western and eastern music  which supports the story nicely.  Character traits and the importance of relationships, sensitivity , and  compassion are woven into the story.  Berstein , the scout, grows in understanding that the boys need to be encouraged and nurtured,  not ignored and taken to parties.  The importance of slowing down and living in  “Indian time” is explored.  Second chances for everyone in the film emphasizes their importance in daily live.  In the midst of learning responsibility and selflessness is a joyful film.

Here are the real Indian baseball  players who were signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates and the real Bernstein on which the film was based.

The vehicle to discover pitchers with an 85 MPH speed was  “reality completions” throughout India.

My American Indian friends agree that there are “laugh out loud” places in the film capturing  an authentic picture of India and Indian spirit.

Many of the critics panned the film, but my readers are pretty sophisticated about India especially if you have read most  of my posts!   We took our grandchildren and they loved it.  It is a great family film  which seems pretty hard to find these days and you get to experience a authentic  India!

I would love to hear if you have seen this film and your thoughts. . . . . . . 

public Domain images Text from : http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/may-web-only/million-dollar-arm.html?paging=off