Movie Review: Just One Win

Just One Win
By Patrick Hao

Before 2004, the Boston Red Sox and their fans had faced many heart breaks in their attempts to win a World Series. Fans would complain about the hesitation throw by Johnny Pesky in game 7 of the 1946 World Series, allowing the winning run to score. Fans may also complain about Bucky “@#$%@#$” Dent hitting a home run against the Red Sox to win a one game playoff for the dreaded Yankees. Then came game 6 of the World Series in 1986 which is what the 2005 film Game Six is about.
The film follows playwright Nicky Rogan (Michael Keaton) on October 25, 1986. Nicky is a die hard Red Sox fan and his team is up three games to two against the New York Mets in the World Series. On this fateful day however, is the opening of his new play in New York. There is a lot of buzz for the play from actors who saw a preview but that doesn’t mean there are any problems. Rogan has an estranged daughter (Ari Graynor), who doesn’t have much affection for her father. Then there is a veteran actor, who has a virus in his head which makes him forget his lines. Finally the meanest, harshest critic, Steven Schwimmer (Robert Downey Jr.) is about to see his play that can make or break his career. There is something special however about game 6. In Rogan’s mind, he thinks that if the Red Sox could win then all his problems would just disappear.
Game 6 is the directed by Michael Hoffman, most known for 1991’s Soapdish. From the description the movie may sound like a sports movie but it is not. It is a movie about the human obsession and almost serves as a Greek Tragedy. We all know what happens in that very famous game. Despite this, even for non-baseball fans, we are invested in the game as he watches it on the screen. The camera puts us into the game; despite the fact we are still in the bar where Rogan watches it.
The setting is in 1986 New York and it sets the atmosphere for the movie. The setting is bleak with grayness in the air. Violence and traffic is highlighted giving us the perfect setting for a mental breakdown, similar the De Niro character in Taxi Driver. A radio weatherman plays almost serves as a narrator, describing to the audience the thoughts of Rogan as he goes through the day. Things like that give the screenplay by novelist Don DeLilo a special quality to it. The main character has eloquent speeches that are believable due to the fact that he is a screenwriter.
A big component to the success of this film is Michael Keaton. Often times underrated due to his roles in the past, he can certainly act. He takes on a character that is special and fragile that actors of lower quality will mishandle and maybe overplay. This is certainly not a big movie and with Keaton’s sympathetic eyes we kind of root for him despite what we know will happen. Then we have Robert Downey. This is one of the films he did during, what I call his comeback. He gives another interesting performance a Zen monk, critic who everyone hates. He is paranoid, fearless, affectionate and just plain loony. The range showed by Downey is incredible and he never gives an uninteresting performance.
The film suffers some problem in production, however. The cutting is a bit frantic and doesn’t really play well with the mood of the movie. Most of the shots aren’t interesting except for a particular scene in the bar. If it wasn’t for strong performances and a good script this film would just be another forgettable Sundance film.
3.5 out of 5


Ok people i really do need editors to fix the things i post up since i'm getting less and less time on the computer..damn old people and their addicting to the internet (parents). so if anyone is an editor or has time just check the articles i put up. oh and if you have ideas for something you want to write just send it to me through email or facebook (but through messages, remember the project is a secret.)
Oh and if you want people to join, tell me or patrick about it and we'll see if they will be accepted in.
Also we might have a meeting next week, or try to and will see when people are free. It seems that it will have to be in the weekend due to prep classes that people have (suckers), so comment about the day you want it to be held.