‘You Gotta Believe’ Film Review: An Inspirational True Story

These days, there aren’t enough well done family friendly films. There are even less worthy sports pictures. Written by Lane Garrison and directed by Ty Roberts, You Gotta Believe doesn’t break new ground, but exists as a warm and inspirational sports drama families can enjoy together.

I am far from a sports historian, but I do love some good baseball history. The film takes its title from a famous quote by New York Mets legend, Tug McGraw. Going into a game against the Astros in the summer of 1973, the Mets were in last place with a 36-46 record in the National League East. Before the game, the Mets held a team meeting. M. Donald Grant (chairman of the Mets board of directors) gave a pep talk to the players and said they could turn the season around if only they believed in themselves.

Suddenly, McGraw jumped up and said, “Ya Gotta Believe. That’s right!” Grant thought McGraw was mocking him, but he was just inspired and the saying became a rallying cry for the Mets, as they went on to win the division.

That cry of hope fuels the characters that populate You Gotta Believe, and is delivered with enough grit to overcome the unavoidable underdog sports movie clichés that come with a story such as this one.

Armed with a Pride of the Yankees spirit mixed with a dash of The Bad News Bears, Roberts’ film tells the fact-based story of a losing Little League team from Fort Worth, Texas who made their way to the Little League World Series of 2002. Local lawyer Jon Kelly (Greg Kinnear) coaches the team with his best friend Bobby Ratliff (Luke Wilson). Their season is just about over and these young ball players aren’t getting any better. With such a bad season, the kids have zero motivation and Jon doesn’t really know how to raise their spirits.

When Bobby is diagnosed with cancer, it is up to Jon to be the head coach after the team miraculously gets a chance to try out for the L.L. the World Series. With only 10 days to get in their best ball-playing shape, Jon brings in good ol’ boy Coach Mitch Belew (the great Lew Temple, who was a Minor League baseball player for the Houston Astros before becoming an actor) to whip up their conditioning. Of course, they win their first qualifying game and are on their way to the finals to be played in Pennsylvania. As the team gets stronger and Bobby goes through chemo, the film’s title takes shape for the characters.

Luke Wilson is terrific as the cancer-stricken Bobby. The actor has always had an easygoing charm and it works very well for his true life character. Through a performance of respect and natural warmth, Wilson pays tribute to the real Bobby Ratliff.

Greg Kinnear is equally appealing in what is his best role in some time, as he traverses the drama and embraces the small doses of humor sprinkled throughout.

All of the kids are well-cast and sidestep the trite portrayals usually found in a youth sports movie.

Unfortunately, the great Molly Parker and Sarah Gadon are sidelined with the type of “You can do it, honey.” supportive wife roles that don’t give a performer a big enough field in which to create, though they each get a couple of good moments and both are fine in their respective roles.

While some may criticize the film’s easy to navigate dramatic structure, no one set out to do The Natural for a new generation. The filmmakers saw an uplifting true story of a team that found hope and they tell it in the most respectful way possible.

Director Roberts and screenwriter Garrison fill their picture with an inherent kindness and an honor for the strength of family that is infectious. There are many believably moving moments that show the purity of love a father has for his sons and the ultimate sacrifices a parent will make for the good of their children. While some of the dialogue may be a bit simplistic (and the script occasionally veers too close to a “Faith Based” message), the conviction of the performances and the filmmaking are too strong. Cynicism is left at the door and the spirit of the real life characters shines through.

To quote from John Sayles and Elliot Asinof’s screenplay for Sayles’ own baseball film, Eight Men Out, “Sometimes, when you feel right, there’s a groove there, and the bat just eases into it and meets that ball. When the bat meets that ball and you feel that ball just give, you know it’s going to go a long way.”

Endearing, funny, and undeniably heartfelt, You Gotta Believe finds that easy groove and goes a long way. This one works.