SYNOPSIS Mr. Caruth believes that baseball and America are one and the same, held fast by the rosin of nostalgia. On a Saturday afternoon in late August, the timeworn patriot climbs into his car and drives to the nearest ball park. From a hilltop vista, Mr. Caruth narrates the whole history of the game, a history belonging as much to Dwight E. Gooden as it does to Dwight D. Eisenhower.
CREDITS Starring GIL DAMON, DAVID AMADIO, STEVE KUZMICK and BRIAN GILLIN
Written by THE MINOR PROPHETS
Directed by DEREK FREY
REVIEW
Review by: Miami Movie Critic
Users:
Reviewer:
"A hysterically funny tribute to faux Americana."
America's Game is a little easier on the eyes than other Minor Prophets movies, but what really sets this one apart is the score by Steve Portland. It's absolutely dripping with fake ultra-patriotism - think of John Williams' score for Saving Private Ryan but pumped up on steroids - and it perfectly captures the comedic tone the Prophets are going for here.
An extremely proud American (Gil Damon) suffering from osteoporosis goes out to the local ballpark to watch some kids play a game of baseball. He just about weeps at the apple-pie wholesomeness of it all as he recounts how baseball is the only original American sport. He notes that Lacrosse was stolen from "the Injuns" and football is "just a gay version of rugby." His sentimental views come up against some harsh realities when he gets beaned in the head by a baseball and robbed.
The man is under the mistaken belief that Abner Doubleday invented the game. This myth has been debunked by many sports historians, but of course the Minor Prophets know that. That's why they make great movies.
Damon provides a hilarious voiceover that sounds like those old Pepperidge Farm commercials. You'll fall out of your chair laughing when he talks about savoring "the smell of the hot nuts and the rosin bags." Director Derek Frey cleverly splices in such symbols of American freedom as the bald eagle and Hulk Hogan. America's Game is a hysterically funny tribute to faux Americana.