Wonderfully subtle title graphics and a gentle, contemplative opening set the stage nicely. But what follows is a film with structural issues that ultimately dilute its impact and prevent a cohesive story from emerging.
The bulk of the film focuses on Japan’s cultural connection to baseball. We meet a female coach, a hairstylist, glove refurbishers, batmakers, young players, and devoted parents, all offering intimate glimpses into their relationship with the game. These are the film’s strongest elements.
But these personal stories are intercut with two additional threads: anticipation and preparation for the Tokyo Series, and broader commentary on the legacy of Japanese players in Major League Baseball. The problem is that these threads never fully connect. What does archival footage of Hideo Nomo meaningfully add to the narrative? What is the film actually trying to say? If the unifying idea is simply “Japan loves baseball,” that’s not enough to carry the structure.
There’s a better film buried in here, one focused entirely on the personal, human stories. It would have been more powerful to stay with these individuals, showing how their love of the game culminates in their anticipation of the Tokyo Series. Let them tell us what it means to them. Then, perhaps at the end, bring it home with the Tokyo Series.
Interesting how this film made Japan really feel like a baseball culture, despite my being in Japan recently during the height of the Japan Series (their World Series) and not seeing any real enthusiasm for the sport. The film portrays a cultural love affair with the game that I just did not see when I was there. Is the Tokyo Series bigger than Japan Series, I wonder?
May have gotten some rating help because of how much I love baseball.
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