Million Dollar Arm Review

Baseball is a sport foreign to most of Indians, but is a big deal in America. The equivalent of that sport in India is Cricket which is a different game but with some common features. Million Dollar Arm captures the culture shock and struggles of a bunch of Indian youngsters who are recruited to play baseball in India.

The premise of the movie is an interesting one and the movie certainly lives up to our expectations. The first half of the movie chronicles the journey of Bernstein (played by Jon Hamm) who is a baseball agent on a trip to India in search of local talent. There are hilarious moments of Bernstein trying to adjust to the Indian ways and trying to teach the people a sport that they have never heard of. The interaction of the western and eastern culture is an engaging watch.

The second half of the movie is situated in America where the newly recruited boys are put to the test in trails for various teams. Million Dollar Baby is a small feel-good film that is entertaining, fun and uplifting. Our hearts soar with the fortunes of the two Indian baseball pitchers who are trying to make their mark in America. Jon Hamm acts great like his usual self, while the young Indian actors Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal bring youthful energy and spark to the movie. A R Rahman's score is brilliant as it was always expected it to be. This is a light, funny and fun sports drama best enjoyed in a group.