I decided to take in this film primarily because it showcases the premier event of my hometown, by virtue of which has allowed me its access. I went in with few expectations, and left feeling quite satisfied. This film certainly ventures from the typical Hollywood fluff one might expect from a movie featuring Little League Baseball, casting a dark aura about an event cherished for its purity. Some off-beat humor slips in from time to time, as well as some stunning contrast of emotion rarely seen in mainstream films. I also paid attention to many of the details, given that I spent my childhood late Augusts watching the games at Lamade Stadium. I will say I would have loved to see in some of the shots children sliding down the upper hill behind Lamade on pieces of cardboard boxes, which has become a trademark of Little League Baseball ambiance, but I understand the absence. All in all, good viewing, and a shame that this film will likely pass into relative obscurity.
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gumplord30 May 2004
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brian-moore-121 July 2004I saw Mickey with my wife and our two sons who, while past their little league days, at 15 and 17 are still close enough to have distinct memories of the experience. I thought the movie itself was watchable, but not much more than that...too many innings of baseball that had me squirming like I was sitting on a hard bleacher bench.
What I really liked was the conversation it stimulated over dinner afterwards. Was the con justified in any way? What's the right way to pick a rec team? Would Mickey's teammates really have behaved the way they did post-revelation? Does our government run on back room deals? Not too many flicks, books or news get as much airing in our family. For that, and that alone, I appreciated Mickey. -
goofy_girl3420 August 2006It is so wonderful to see a movie about Little League. This movie shows the little league spirit and excitement of the LL World Series. Little League is the oldest youth sports organization in the world and it deserves to be showcased in such a wonderful way. The actors do a great job of catching the spirit of the movie the father shows that he is loving but troubled. and "Mickey" shows the youthful love of baseball and the struggle to handle the situation in front of him I have heard some say that this is the best kids Baseball movie since the sandlot and I fully agree. This is a movie that everyone should see and one that can be a true inspiration for all young people who play or love Little League baseball
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Went today to view this movie. I should say that I see a lot of movies both with and without my 10 year old daughter. I am very glad I saw this movie. I think, overall, it was well done. It is about little league but more than that. The end result teaches accountability for your actions and honesty. It doesn't give you the happy ending in the sense that the dad gets off for his crime which I think sends a good message. I was impressed with this film. It is a limited showing but I think a good investment of your time. FYI, for those who don't know this film sets Harry Connick Jr as a widowed dad in trouble for falsifying tax info resulting in evasion and fraud charges. The son, played by newcomer Shawn Salinas, is a child who is ending his little league career as a pitcher turning 13. By getting a new identity his son also stays 12 making him eligible for one last year in little league and one more shot at the little league world series. A well done family film or just for those who might want to relive a little of their childhood.
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cvllelaw23 July 2004As a former Little League dad and Little League coach, I was curious about the movie, particularly because part of it was filmed in our home town. So I admit to a little bias when I see some people I know in the movie.
That notwithstanding, I very much enjoyed it. The producers decided to cast baseball players and teach them to act, rather than trying to teach actors to play baseball. The baseball sequences are well done, and very realistic to Little League experience.
I was wondering how they were going to deal with the basic problem of making a feel-good ending out of a pretty lousy set of circumstances, and I really thought they did it well.
I suspect that it will not get great reviews -- there is not a lot of complexity and brooding and foreboding, no sex, violence or cursing, etc.
It's a little like "The Mighty Ducks"; the fact pattern is believable if improbable, kids mature and succeed, parent makes a good connection with a love interest, and by the end you like the characters and you care what happens to them.
Good summer flick. -
wes-connors22 July 2009The IRS is after widower Harry Connick Jr. (as Tripp Spence). Since he doesn't have the money, Mr. Connick runs away to Las Vegas, with athletic young son Shawn Salinas (as Derrick). They darken their blond hair, to become "Glen Ryan" and his son "Mickey". Clear-glassed spectacles assist in the disguise. When questioned about the lack of prescription strength, Connick says his son is "slightly" nearsighted. Apparently, there are no school nurses in Las Vegas.
One of the benefits of the new identities is that young Salinas gets to remain a 12-year-old, because "Mickey" is twelve - so, father Connick can play him in "Little League" another year. A better idea would have been for Connick to find his son an older identity. But, many of the other "Little League" kids look older, especially the Cubans. If they are taking steroids, it isn't shown. "Mickey" is curiously immoral, for a "family film". But, Salinas performs the title role well.
*** Mickey (4/30/04) John Grisham, Hugh Wilson ~ Harry Connick Jr., Shawn Salinas, Michelle Johnson -
daoregon822 May 2004I had the opportunity to listen to John Grisham in Ottawa Ontario, Canada in April 2001 discuss his upcoming project "Mickey". Now, in April 2004 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, I was able to see the movie and again listen to John Grisham at a private screening along with the Director Hugh Wilson. "Mickey" was well worth waiting for.
Using Little League Baseball as a background, the Plot centers on a father/son relationship and the difficult choices they have to make. The drive of "Mickey" is focused on the choices made by the Father (Harry Connick Jr.) and how they affect not only his son, but the lives of the team his son plays for.
This is not a "Hollywood" movie. It is far superior to the high tech improbable entertainment that "Hollywood" churns out these days.
Hugh Wilson deftly guides this fine character study that came from the heart of writer John Grisham. Harry Connick Jr. gives his best performance to date (Deserving a nod for Best Actor) and is aided by the fine supporting cast. Mike Starr, as the coach, is one of those character actors ala Jack Elam, Harry Dean Stanton, Kevin Pollock....who you recognize, but just can't remember the name to go with the face, is deserving of a nomination for Best Supporting Actor as he pulls out terrific performance by 1st timer Shawn Salinas (Mickey) and Harry Connick Jr. Michelle Johnson (Blame it on Rio) also contributes to the angst displayed by HCJ.
This is a fine family movie to be enjoyed by all. -
running_on_emptyx26 March 2005I recently bought this, mostly because of my liking of the Little League World Series. After watching it, even if i didn't love the LLWS, I would have recommended it anyway. I loved how authentic they made the games feel. They used same uniforms, stadiums, even announcers in Brent Musberger and Harold Reynolds. They even used some of the same teams as in the 2001 series. The only thing about the movie I was a little confused over was the punishment the teams received. In the 2001 Little League World Series, a team from New York used an ineligible player. The team was stripped of all awards and games won during all-stars. These teams were only stripped of their most recent wins. They probably could have had a more realistic sentence, but I really loved this movie anyway.
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mslater24 May 2004"Mickey" a very strong feel good heartwarming movie that got away. This movie is currently in limited release. It is about a father who just wishes his son could make it to "The Little League World Series." There is just one problem, The IRS is looking for the father who is suffering in debt, and Mickey is to old to play in Little League. Solution move away, and change your identity.The movie starts out a little too fast, and things are thrown together really fast, but be patient it's worth your time. This movie is currently in the middle Tennesse area. If it's not in theaters in your area rent this movie in your spare time. My take on the movies a very strong 8/10 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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TheFossil20 April 2005While I'm not particularly a fan of baseball, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie about a young man who, due to circumstances surrounding his father's issues with the IRS, gets to delay his transition from child to teenager and repeat his last year of little league. While I wasn't particularly able to relate to the baseball part so much, I certainly WAS able to relate to IRS "problems", so I personally did not find this sub-plot to be a distraction.
An added plus was discovering that real little league players were used in the cast. While there =was= a script, the effect was that of just watching boys being boys. I didn't find the plot line to be contrived at all. The obvious love of a father for his son was an emotionally uplifting aspect of this moving story. -
Having coached Little League baseball at practically all age levels for over 50 years, I really appreciated this movie. Found it while browsing at Hastings about 10 years ago and loved it. I have watched it many times since then and never get tired of it. Have shown it to my teams at our season-ending party every year. I've seen it all in LL in my years of coaching....from "flopping" at tryouts...the draft...the first team meeting...all-star selections...overbearing parents...post-season tournament play...win-at-all-cost coaches...the thrill of seeing young players develop into young men...seen it all! And most of what I've seen is included in some way in this movie. Strong acting, exciting baseball action...thrill of victory & agony of defeat. I would highly recommend this film to all LL coaches, parents & players. Buy it, don't rent it, so you can watch it over and over! It never gets old.
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One review said, "While not a thriller like other John Grisham books...". My husband and I beg to differ! The tension in Mickey at times was almost unbearable. The characters are likable, but yet they cheat. Each victory in LL increases their chance of exposure... but yet you want Mickey's team to keep winning. The "bad" guys are the hated IRS, but yet... OK there's no way in h*** that you WANT the IRS to catch them, but Tripp DID hide assets. You really sense the dad's fear of being caught fighting against his desire to let his son show his spectacular skills.
It's one of the most unpredictable movies I've seen in a long time. It's nice to be fooled once and awhile.
The acting was good. I'm thinking of writing a football screenplay and my brother said "Don't get actors and try to teach them football. Get football players that can act." And that's exactly what J.G. says they did when casting the ballplayers in MIckey. I think they did an excellent job! -
dj_Indigo6 April 2005I have read a few reviews, written by IMDb members, regarding this movie and some weren't positive. I believe this to be a wonderful movie with a great cast, a superb script, great camera work, and nice directing. I love a good baseball movie and the Little League World Series is a fascinating time of the year. I can remember my own days and my former dreams of Little League stardom. Harry Connick Jr does a wonderful job as the father. Even with all the shortcomings of the father, the audience member defiently knows that he loves his son. I could have done without the little love story sewn very obviously into the middle of the movie. Overall, I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves sports. I think this also qualifies as a family movie with a good moral message. Check it out!!!
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ilovethegame0517 March 2005If you are looking for a super intense thriller like the past John Grisham based films. This film is not for you. But if you are looking for a great little family film to watch with your little sluggers-- this is the perfect film for you.
MICKEY is a sweet and honest story of redemption centered around little league baseball. Harry Connick Jr. does a great job playing. Tripp Spence, who flees with his son, and assumes a new identity, after being indicted for tax fraud. Although his son Mickey is technically too old for Little League baseball, their invented lives allow for him to play another year. Mickey's superb performance draws attention to the team, bringing with it the possibility that law enforcement agents will find Spence. Spence and his son must therefore contend with the consequences of their cheating and learn a valuable life lesson.
MICKEY is a wonderful family-friendly film that reinforces the concept of fairness and taking responsibility for your actions both sports and within the rest of your life. MICKEY is chalk full of high energy little-league baseball action and delivers a powerful and positive message. It's perfect for a pizza night at home with the kids or even a rained out sporting event.
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This is truly the best "Baseball" movie I've seen. That would apply to any movie made about a sport, be it football, hockey or something else. Writer John Grisham and director Hugh Wilson have put together something special for movie fans who are tired of the usual Hollywood fare that focuses on sexual immorality and violence. The acting is excellent, and the story certainly holds your interest. The extras on the DVD by the way (interviews with Grisham and Wilson) give nice insight as to why and how the movie came about. This is a movie many will want to see again in the near future. One thing that was obvious is that the young boys in the film are all good ball players. It gives it an honest and real feeling.
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wtdaveyjr328 November 2005I was attracted to this movie because I await every new Grisham release with great expectations. I was a bit disappointed that Mickey turned out to be a screenplay and not a novel, but bought the movie and, after seeing it, decided to buy it for others. While a fine story, and well done, my greater interest was in anticipating how Grisham would resolve the moral dilemma carefully constructed during the early scenes. It was handled very much to my satisfaction. I highly recommend that parents sit down and see this movie straight through with their children just entering the teenage years. Great entertainment and great education presented in the Grisham manner.