"The Scout" is one of those movies that leaves you with a warm feeling in your soul after the video has been turned off. It is the story of a man who finds a friend and triumphs over his fears.Al Percolo is a New York Yankees scout who is experiencing the worst luck of his life. When his boss sends him to Mexico on a grudge trip, Al discovers "the greatest ballplayer that ever lived": Steve Nebraska. Al manages to land a deal with Steve, but is fired while telling his boss about his great find. When the pair returns to the United States, Steve is promptly snapped up with a $55 million bid from the Yankees. Despite all his success, Steve's world is anything but the fairytale it appears to be. Steve has dangerous idiosyncrasies and an abusive past, which are uncovered as time goes on.
Brendan Fraser plays the part of the slightly eccentric, slightly insecure Steve Nebraska with astounding depth. Albert Brooks is perfect as the cheeky, unyielding scout.
However, Dianne Wiest is much too abrasive as Steve's psychologist, Doctor Aaron. She cannot decide who her character is. One minute she is speaking gently to Al, the next she is glaring and snapping at him. I'm afraid this psychologist might need a psychologist herself!
Despite the heavy subject material, the movie has its light moments. There are several comedic occasions provided by Steve's singing, and I must say, these points alone are reason enough to see the movie. Of course, there is also the inevitable victory, which makes everything beforehand worth it.
What is really refreshing about this movie is how clean it is. There are less than ten profanities in the entire film, and they are the only objectionable content.
"The Scout" is simply a fine piece of work, and a wonderful trip to take from everyday life.
Acting and characters: I don't particularly care for Albert Brooks' twitching style. Brendan Fraser was an annoying man-child whose tantrums got old. Dianne Wiest was alternately understated and abrasive as the psychotherapist who has to certify that Fraser's character is mentally sound [which of course, he isn't].
And the real meat of my discontent: the plot. First off there isn't a plot so much as a sequence of scenes. There's no payoff: Fraser doesn't experience a breakthrough; the therapy bit is dropped and never resolved. Brooks doesn't evolve either. The final sequence is a schoolboy fantasy of triumph but since there's no resolution, there's no emotional payoff either.
Now for the holes. Brooks' scout has two kids go directly from recruitment (and one is a freshman in college) to major-league pitching in a couple months. Sorry, they would start at A or AA at best, even if the club thinks they are fast-tracked. They'd never throw an untried talent directly on the team. The Yankee$ throw gobs of money at Fraser (George Steinbrenner in a vaguely amusing cameo says "Pay whatever it takes"). Why would they want a kid who pitches as well as hits? In the American League, he can't do both. The DH is expressly not allowed to be the pitcher. Fraser keeps his mullet hairdo; Steinbrenner famously required his players to be clean-shaven with short hair, no exceptions. Fraser also apparently never practices throwing, fielding, or batting, except in one five-minute scene where he throws one pitch. In a parking garage and with Brooks, not with a team.
Then there's Fraser's debut in game one of the World Series at Yankee $tadium. If he wasn't on the roster in the final month, he wouldn't be allowed to be on the team. And how is he batting again, in ninth place? See the DH comment. The final at-bat is a Cardinal who "hit five home runs in the playoffs"? I doubt the manager would have played that hot a hitter in the 9-spot. He isn't a substitution either; the commentator says he's 0-for-2 that night.
Skip this and watch any number of better-crafted baseball movies.
Read Best Reviews of The Scout (1994) Here
The scout was funny! I think at times there were moments that seem stupid. I guess that's what making movie's all about! I think you might enjoy it. It's actully better then I thought it be. That just proves never judge a movie by it's cover :)Enjoy!
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You don't have to love either Brendan Fraser or Baseball to love this movie! I should know, because I hate baseball, but love Brendan Fraser, and I may just be a tad bit prejudiced when it comes to him.Although the scout is about Baseball, there isn't much involving the sport except for short blips of Albert Brook looking for his 'King Kong', and the ending sequince when Brendan shows us that he truly is the king of the field. Albert Brook is hilarous as the scout who is hunting for other new protege's for the Yankee's, and Brendan is the young man who he happens to find. In mexico that is. Why he's in Mexico, and how he got there is never really explained. That and if the shrink is really his mom, or just a really concerned lady. Yeah, the story has its holes, but the comedy more than makes up for it.
I won't say anymore, more is less, and in this case its better just to see this movie than hear me explain it.
Let the game begin!
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