For Love of the Game

Name: For Love of the Game
Genre: Drama, Sport, Romance
Released: September 17, 1999
Duration: 137 min
Rating: 43
Cast: Kelly Preston, Kevin Costner

1999

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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For Love Of The Game

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: September 17, 1999 | PG-13

Starring: Kelly Preston, Kevin Costner

Summary: A provocative look into the professional and personal passions of a major league baseball player, who in the twilight of a successful career is forced to reconcile a lifetime of decisions that have been clouded by the trappings of fame. (Universal Pictures)

Director: Sam Raimi

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 137 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Jay Carr

After revitalizing baseball movies with "Field of Dreams" and "Bull Durham," he's now three for three with the funny, quirky, rueful, and richly textured For Love of the Game. Read full review

Bob Graham

It is impossible to think of anyone but Costner in this role. His commitment and sincerity are never in doubt. Read full review

TNT RoughCut Jennifer Nowitzky

A bona fide, no-doubt-about-it love story disguised as a sports movie.

Mike Clark

Tested my own love of the game more than anything since the time Roseanne screeched the national anthem.

Film.com Sean Means

Costner's serious-as-a-heart-attack performance...slowly kills the movie's energy in a gooey morass of forced sincerity. Read full review

Lawrence Van Gelder

Sometimes even a talented lineup produces unexceptional results. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

This dialogue isn't helped by two actors who look terrific but can barely choke out a word that sounds remotely authentic or spontaneous.

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User Reviews

The_Last_Dukem

Mar 31, 2021

In a world that puts superficial priorities above the simple things in life; a relationship, community, friends, good people, etc, how can many not relate to this film? I think those that don't appreciate For Love of the Game may simply be indenial about the fact that maybe, they too, areIn a world that puts superficial priorities above the simple things in life; a relationship, community, friends, good people, etc, how can many not relate to this film? I think those that don't appreciate For Love of the Game may simply be indenial about the fact that maybe, they too, are more like a Billy Chapel than a Jane Audrey. This is a great film that combines romance and baseball into a grand slam home run. Another great baseball film to add to a small list of "must watch" favorite past time marathons.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Diameter

Apr 27, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Character Error

Chapel mentions on the plane that he'll be pitching tomorrow and the radio broadcast mentions on game day that it is the second to last day of the season. It is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that a pair of Major League teams would end the season on a 2 game series.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

smiyamot

Nov 29, 2015

Okay, you have to like baseball or this movie will bore you. In the course of playing the last game of the season, the pitcher (Costner) reflects on the last few years with the woman he loves. Loved and lost. His life is told with baseball events as the markers. A subplot is the businessOkay, you have to like baseball or this movie will bore you. In the course of playing the last game of the season, the pitcher (Costner) reflects on the last few years with the woman he loves. Loved and lost. His life is told with baseball events as the markers. A subplot is the business side of professional sports teams today, but the real story is the interpersonal relationships with his love and teammates. I don't have many DVDs but this one is in my collection.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Catenary44

Jun 7, 2021

$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Amulet

Apr 18, 2021

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Receptacle

Jun 24, 2021

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

avatar16

May 24, 2012

Sam Raimi n'aurait pas dÃ» quitter l'horreur et le fantastique pour se lancer dans un film romantique. Parce que lÃ , le rÃ©alisateur se retrouve sans imagination. En effet, il nous livre un film du genre, tout ce qu'il y a de plus banal, avec surdose deSam Raimi n'aurait pas dÃ» quitter l'horreur et le fantastique pour se lancer dans un film romantique. Parce que lÃ , le rÃ©alisateur se retrouve sans imagination. En effet, il nous livre un film du genre, tout ce qu'il y a de plus banal, avec surdose de bons sentiments et de musiques appuyÃ©es. Bon, ce n'est quand mÃªme pas dÃ©sagrÃ©able Ã regarder, d'autant plus que les acteurs ne s'en sortent pas trop mal et que les passages de base-ball se montrent plutÃ´t intÃ©ressants. Mais bon Dieu que c'est mou du genou! Et il n'y a rien qui empÃªche d'ennuyer le spectateur : histoire d'amour sans intÃ©rÃªt, dialogues qui semblent bÃ¢clÃ©s, montage en flashes-back dispensable... Sans compter une VF des plus loupÃ©es, les doubleurs se faisant rarement comprendre ni mÃªme entendre (cela marmonne trop!). Pour l'amour du jeu n'est qu'une pure guimauve hollywoodienne comme il en existe dÃ©jÃ tant. Et comme les autres, il vaut mieux l'oublier rapidement.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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