JUNE FENNER -- REEL CRITIC

In “Hardball,” Keanu Reeves gives one of his best performances to

date. However, he is up against some stiff competition: kids.

This particular group of kids live in the very grim and dangerous

project housing of Chicago. Baseball offers one of the few bright spots

in their young lives.

“Hardball” is based on Daniel Coyle’s memoir “Hardball: A Season in

the Projects.”

The first act of the story tells how Reeves’ character, Conor O’Neill,

a shiftless, compulsive gambler deeply in debt, finds himself coaching a

boy’s baseball team. It’s hard to imagine anyone less suitable for the

job.

I liked the fact that O’Neill is not immediately sweetened by his

contact with these children. Not only does he fail to meet with instant

success; he doesn’t even care if he or the kids succeed. He just wants to

get himself out of this sticky situation and back to gambling.

Nevertheless, even these foulmouthed kids have the ability to get

underneath O’Neill’s tough skin eventually. The kids will get to you too.

O’Neill also finds himself trying to appear more of a decent human being

in the eyes of the kids’ teacher, played well by Diane Lane.

However, be advised. This is no warm, fuzzy kid story. Director Brian

Robbins never lets you forget that these kids live in a violent,

dangerous world. This film may not be the place to take your young

preteen softball team, though high school kids will find much to think

about.

“Hardball” is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some

violence.

* JUNE FENNER, a Costa Mesa resident in her late 50s, is vice

president of a work-force training company.