The Yankles (2012)

This is a very enjoyable movie with a big heart. It takes the classic underdog gets a second chance theme and presents it in its own unique way. It centers on a baseball team, but it is not a "sports" movie. It takes place at a Yeshiva, but it is not a religious movie. Rather, it's a feel-good movie with likeable characters that will absolutely leave a smile on your face. As far as originality, it does hew to the well-known cinematic theme of underdogs doing well under the guidance of new leadership, however much originality is here in context of the setting, the characters and their cultural struggles with the sport, as well as an interesting plot twist that may prevent them from ultimately playing in an important league tournament. I first saw it on the big screen, and now that it is out on Blu-ray (as well as on Amazon Instant Video), I plan on having it as part of my permanent home library as well!

In life, winning isn't everything. Sports films have built their own industry within an industry about exploring what it is that makes one a winner: is it the final score, is it the way the game is played, or is it something more, something magical, something that'll always be elusive except to those who're willing to put in on the line for their team? Along comes THE YANKLES, and you'll believe it has far more to do with one's faith faith in the game, faith in your God, faith in yourself and maybe that's the best estimation put to film yet.

Down-on-his-luck Charlie Jones (played by Brian Wimmer) an ex-baseball player fresh out of jail and trying to reform his life and image can't find a team anywhere that'll touch him with a ten foot pole. Enter "the Yankles," a brand-new college team desperately in need of a coach! A former Minor League playing now pursuing his faith learns that Jones needs to meet his community service commitment under the terms of his parole, and voila! It's a match made in sports comedy Heaven ... or whatever may account for Heaven in the Jewish faith.

What writer/director David R. Brooks (along with writing partner Zev Brooks) has done is they've smartly examined the world of sports through the prism of faith ... and why not? There have long been messages about believing in one's self mirrored in the best sports movies, but he's amped up the faith to an all new level here by revolving the story around a fictional collegiate team set at a Jewish school. What could spiral into "preachy-ness" stays mostly sublime as the team struggles to understand `the game' instead of simply `winning it,' allowing for such handsome subplots as having a father and a son comes to terms with their differing views on life as well as Jones trying to win back his former love who's now embraced her faith fully. Through Jones' eyes, the audience gets introduced to these matters; through the team's eyes, they see what rewards come with the full expression of it. It's balanced extremely well, and, indeed, these matters of devotion end up meaning more personally than they would in a film wholly centered on baseball.

My only complaint and, sure, I'm a critic, so I have to have at least one is that the games here never really get center stage. (I know that wasn't the pure intent of the film, but I'll say what I think needs to be said anyhow.) Instead of building up the game giving the viewer a handful of sequences to set up how important a critical play or crucial inning is for the story instead we're given only the pivotal sequence. Instead of presenting the full sense of a game, the game is reduced to just what's needed to underscore the message. That's all well and good; and it happens so consistently throughout that it's easy to determine that it was either (a) deliberate or (b) due to the constraints of time. However, it would've been nice to have the big game the championship game play out a bit closer to the way they do in a traditional sports film. So much was made about the lessons learned in getting to `the show' that it would've been nice to give those moments more screen time; still, it's a minor blemish in an otherwise solid (and noble) run around the bases. Otherwise, the film never feels formulaic, and it retains a modest freshness throughout.

For the record, I know very little about the Jewish faith. While a large part of THE YANKLES' storylines explore what it's like to be a Jew especially as it impacts with playing a sport I found all of it extremely accessible. I've no doubt that if I had a stronger understanding of the Jewish faith I probably would've uncovered even more humor in the script, but, as I've read some scuttlebutt online about "needing to be a Jew" in order to truly appreciate the film, I wanted to debunk that so far as I was concerned. This non-Jew found plenty to identify with and cheer about with this feature.

At a time when the evening news is fairly regularly filled with stories of players, parents, coaches, referees, and umpires going berserk on and off the playing field, how refreshing is it to find a film like THE YANKLES? Certainly, the story briefly explores I said "briefly," folks the importance of winning on the field, but so much more of the film spends time exploring how important a winning strategy is off the field. There are metaphors for winning in life, in school, in faith, in relationships.

THE YANKLES is produced by Magnolia Pictures with DZB Productions, LLC. DVD distribution is handled through Magnolia Home Entertainment. The disc looks exceptional, and I'll admit I had some trouble with audio in a few sequences; the mix was a bit off for my tastes, but it was certainly fixable on my sound system. And, for the record, the film has won plenty of accolades, including "Audience Favorite Best Feature' at both the 2010 Palm Beach International Film Festival and the 2011 Trimedia Film Festival, as well as other citations at the 2010 Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, the 2010 Int'l Family Film Festival, the 2011 New Jersey Jewish Film Festival, the 2010 Heartland Film Festival, and the 2010 Anaheim International Film Festival. The disc includes deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, extended musical scenes (music plays a large role in the flick), an audio commentary, and other little trinkets.

HIGHEST RECOMMENDED. Certainly a case could be made that THE YANKLES isn't for everyone, but it would be just plain silly to do so. And you'd be a putz! Or a schmuck! Give in to the wholesome charm of watching these young Rabbis-in-training put up or shut up in their trials to just play the game, and have yourself two hours of fun. Plus, it's overwhelmingly family-friendly even for the young'uns who'll probably find even more to laugh at than this old soul did.

In the interests of fairness, I'm pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Magnolia Home Entertainment provided me with a DVD screener copy of THE YANKLES by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review.

Buy The Yankles (2012) Now

Every Baseball fan and Jew should see this movie. This is a great movie for frends to get together and watch. Also fun movie for a temple togther.

Read Best Reviews of The Yankles (2012) Here

This is a very enjoyable movie with a big heart. It takes the classic underdog gets a second chance theme and presents it in its own unique way. It centers on a baseball team, but it is not a "sports" movie. It takes place at a Yeshiva, but it is not a religious movie. Rather, it's a feel-good movie with likeable characters that will absolutely leave a smile on your face. As far as originality, it does hew to the well-known cinematic theme of underdogs doing well under the guidance of new leadership, however much originality is here in context of the setting, the characters and their cultural struggles with the sport, as well as an interesting plot twist that may prevent them from ultimately playing in an important league tournament. I saw it on the big screen, and now that it is out on Blu-ray, I plan on having it as part of my permanent home library as well!

Want The Yankles (2012) Discount?

Fantastic movie -well-written, engaging subject matter, and inspiring story. Enjoyed by the entire family. Kudos for a great and entertaining production. I highly recommend this film.

Save 32% Off