Pitcher and the Pin-Up (2003)

hyped garbage

Good movie but grossly overrated

Excellent but underrated film

Did you people see the same film I saw?

Danny (Drew Johnson) and Melissa (Corinna Harney) have been friends since childhood. Growing up in Las Vegas, they were each other's first "puppy loves", too. But, once they hit high school, Melissa started to go in one direction and Danny in another. For her part, Missy wanted to walk on the wild side with other guys and Danny was pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a professional baseball player. Even so, they stayed in touch. However, when Melissa's mother died, her dad began drinking and, eventually, tried to beat her up. Therefore, she left town to live with an aunt and the two childhood pals could no longer communicate on a daily basis. As Danny inched closer to his dream, as a pitcher for an outstanding college baseball program, Missy got involved with a Swengali like young man who pushed her into modeling as a pin-up. But, Melissa came back to a long ago desire to become a teacher and a poet, trying to straighten out her mess of a life. Will the two "first loves" meet each other again? This is truly a very fine film encased in the wrong marketing package. With no real stars, the producers obviously felt they had to sensationalize their promotion of this flick. Hence, the risqué title and cover. Too bad, for some movie fans will dismiss it outright, as I almost did, which would be a shame. There is very little objectionable material but, instead, viewers will discover a sweet story of young people finding their way in life when cards are stacked against them. It is also a very good baseball story, telling it like it is in the world of professional sports. Then, too, themes of forgiveness and "tomorrow is another day" are front and center, always welcome lessons. Yes, the production was probably made on a lower budget and the sets, costumes and camera work are average, nothing more. But, with a heart-grabbing story and very good direction, most everyone will declare this movie to be a winner. If you like romance, baseball, or films that feature characters "overcoming odds", you will find this one swings for the fences and hits it out of the park, enjoyment wise.

I was going to give this a 4 but it gets a 10. Its hilarious! I got a feeling Drew Johnson (who starred, wrote and directed this film) is a big baseball fan. Assuming this is true, he should know better than this. I understand this is a chick-flick but to appeal to the male audience there needs to be some accuracy here. This movie is definitely not BULL DURHAM. PITCHER AND THE PINUP falls flat. Everything with baseball in this movie made me laugh. The sports clichés, stadium inaccuracies, and actors who don't look like ball-players make thishilarious. Among the the absurd highlights: -- "But coach, (I can't play third) I've pitched EVERY GAME this year!" -- The gypsy/scout who foretells the future with his deck of cards. -- The can't miss Major Leaguer who can't hit balls thrown at a speed meant for a 4-yr-old with a giant plastic red bat until he learns a poem to help him with his hitting. -- The star going AWOL for two weeks and being allowed back by a sympathetic manager because of a "woman." -- The best friend being offered a contract and a spot on the team after the manager sees him playing catch. No hitting, No workout, No interview. Just catch. -- "Congratulations on your 15 strikeouts and your 4 for 4 with a home run." Basically, this movie is absurd, yet hilarious. You will only like this movie of you are female. If you are a real guy you will fine this funny.My other gripes: -- Borrowed love story of Forrest Gump -- Why in the world was she always saying "I love this country?" Was she an immigrant? I guess so because she grew up in Vegas. -- Flashback overload. Enough of the Star Wars and Farrah Fawcett Tshirts. Also, if you use historical events to timeframe, use something astronomical, not the obscure highjacking of a cruise ship. My favorite timeframe placing was when one character goes, "Man, it is 1988!" In the end, this movie HILARIOUS. Cheesy lines, bad casting, horrible acting, and inaccuracies ... Great for a laugh, I'm buying the DVD!

Dreams can come true but they don't occur the way you thought they would. That sums this movie up for me. I recently saw this movie "The Road Home," in Vegas and I really enjoyed it. There was a couple of slow scenes but I still will tell my friends to go see it. If you love baseball you have to see this film. My girlfriend cried a couple of times, she got wrapped up in the love story.

This film has a lot of heart in it, with excellent performances. It's clear these lead actors will be huge stars one day, especially the female lead Corinna Jones. The cinematography is simple and beautiful like the film. Why aren't there more films like this? I can't wait to see it again.