AFF Review: Calvin Marshall
At first glance, writer/director Gary Lundgren's Calvin Marshall could be mistaken for just another "baseball movie," but this poignant and humorous film delivers much more. Baseball is the focus of the main character, yet the heart of this film, which had its world premiere at Austin Film Festival, is more about passion and human nature.
Title character Calvin (Alex Frost) lives and breathes baseball, getting up before dawn to practice -- unfortunately it's a lost cause, as he just doesn't have the skills for the local junior college baseball team. Despite his gruff exterior, the team's head coach (Steve Zahn) has a soft spot for Calvin, and can't bring himself to cut him from the team despite the constant urgings of his assistant Coach Dewey (Abraham Benrubi).
The well-rounded cast of Calvin Marshall represent how humans deal differently with their dreams and passions. Calvin is the archetypical underdog, but he doesn't win in the formulaic sense. His baseball-playing skills never improve enough for him to realize his dreams on the field, but he does find an alternate talent that keeps him in the game. Calvin's love interest Tori Jensen (Michelle Lombardo) is a star volleyball player whose talents seem to come effortlessly. Diedrich Bader plays Fred Deerfield, a city league player and coach who sets his sights low and is content in his minor achievements -- the epitome of "ignorance is bliss." The cast also includes Andrew Wilson, lately seen in Whip It.
By far the most complex character that I found myself both loving and hating is Coach Little, played brilliantly by Steve Zahn. His character wallows in his past fame as a minor league star, not content with his current situation. Coach Little's self-destruction of drinking himself senseless in the local bar inflicts collateral damage striking the naive lovestruck Calvin.
Lundgren's narrative transitions well between comedic and dramatic moments, Calvin Marshall is well-supported by cinematography that captures the lure of the baseball diamond, and is a must-see for any baseball movie fan. Beyond that, this timeless film speaks to anyone who's had passion but not the talent for a particular skill or sport.
Austin Connections: Rumor has it the Wilson brothers - Andrew, Luke, and Owen - own a house in Austin's SoCo area. They are frequently sighted at their favorite coffee shop and Mexican restaurant when in town, as confirmed during an interview with the Calvin Marshall director and stars. Director Gary Lundgren has been to Austin Film Festival before, with his short Wow and Flutter in 2004.
The official Calvin Marshall website is currently holding a contest to win a trip to Spring Training in Phoenix or Miami.