Hardball

2001

Hardball

Critics Consensus

Although Hardball contains some touching moments, they are not enough to transcend the sports formula.

40%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 102

70%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 55,355
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Hardball Photos

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Movie Info

Television actor-turned-director Brian Robbins follows up Varsity Blues (1999) and Ready to Rumble (2000) with another sports comedy. Keanu Reeves stars as Conor O'Neill, an underachiever and inveterate sports gambler who needs a bailout loan from a friend to pay off his mounting debt. As a condition for receiving the necessary funds, Conor is saddled with coaching a corporate-sponsored Little League baseball team for underprivileged youth in Chicago's notorious Cabrini Green housing project. Reluctant at first, Conor slowly begins to enjoy his new authority role, especially when he makes the acquaintance of his players' attractive teacher, Elizabeth Wilkes (Diane Lane). Based on the real-life chronicle Hardball: A Season in the Projects by Outside magazine editor Daniel Coyle, Hardball also stars D.B. Sweeney and Mike McGlone.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for thematic elements, language and some violence)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Brian Robbins
  • Written By:
    John Gatins
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $39,697,363
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Pictures

Cast

Keanu Reeves
as Conor O'Neill
Diane Lane
as Elizabeth Wilkes
John Hawkes
as Ticky Tobin
Michael B. Jordan
as Jamal
Sterling Elijah Brown
as Sterling
Kristopher Lofton
as Clarence
Michael Perkins
as Kofi Evans
Brian M. Reed
as Raymond `Ray Ray' Bennet
DeWayne Warren
as Jarius G-Baby Evans
Bryan C. Hearne
as Andre Ray Peetes
Julian Griffith
as Jefferson Albert Tibbs
A. Delon Ellis Jr.
as Miles Pennfield II
D.B. Sweeney
as Matt Hyland
Brian Reed
as Ray-Ray
Mike McGlone
as Jimmy Fleming
Graham Beckel
as Duffy
Mark Margulis
as Fink
Carol Hall
as Pearla Evans
Jacqueline Williams
as Lenora Tibbs
Freeman Coffey
as Darryl Mackey
Sammy Sosa
as Himself
Andre Morgan
as Umpire
Reginald McKinley
as Umpire
Mark Ellis
as Waatas Coach
Paul Turner
as Bartender
Dawn Lewis
as Ellen
Kwame Amoaku
as Pizza Guy
Vince Green
as Other Pizza Guy
Tom Milanovich
as Ed
Greg Sandquist
as Barber's Son
Stephen Cinabro
as Gino
Michael B. Chait
as Straight-Laced Kid
Donald M. Siple O.S.M.
as Priest
Adam Tomei
as Barfly
Ronnel Taylor
as Gang Member
Sterling Brim
as Sterling
Aaron Evans
as Aaron
Alexander Telles
as Alex
Josefus Duanah
as Tough Kid
Jeffery Oatlin
as Tough Kid
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News & Interviews for Hardball

Trailer Bulletin: The Shaggy Dog
Trailer Bulletin: The Shaggy Dog
Thurber Out; Robbins In as New "Norbit" Director
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Critic Reviews for Hardball

All Critics (102) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (61)

View All Critic Reviews (102)

Audience Reviews for Hardball

  • Nov 30, 2015
    Dumb at times, but still a really good sports movie. Keanu Reeves is surprisingly good here.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 16, 2010
    Hardball is a totally predictable film from start to finish. While the young boys gave excellent efforts in their roles and Keanu was his usual outstanding self, the story line has been over done. This film was entertaining and I enjoyed the efforts by all the actors but it is not the type of film Reeves has done so well in the past.
    Mouhannad S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 10, 2010
    It's an incredibly dumb urban sports movie that tries to cover racism and male comradery. Keanu Reeves plays a gambling low life who gets stuck coaching kids, so it's nothing you haven't seen before. I can tell that it wasn't supposed to be good, but that doesn't make it okay.
    Conner R Super Reviewer
  • Oct 29, 2009
    Another great movie I got from the bargain bin at Wal Mart.Better then I expected it to be
    Brody M Super Reviewer
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