Taglines: Sometimes to win, you have change the game.
Based on a true story, Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” follows JB Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who now finds himself edged out by bigger, slicker competitors. He and his partner Aash (Aasif Mandvi) will have to close their business down for good if JB doesn’t come up with something fast. Late one night, while watching cricket being played in India on TV, JB comes up with an idea so radical it just might work. Why not go to there and find the next baseball pitching sensation?
Setting off for Mumbai with nothing but a gifted but cantankerous scout (Alan Arkin) in tow, JB stages a televised, nationwide competition called “Million Dollar Arm” where 40,000 hopefuls compete before two 18-year-old finalists, Rinku and Dinesh (Suraj Sharma, Madhur Mittal), emerge as winners. JB brings them back to the United States to train with legendary pitching coach Tom House (Bill Paxton). The goal: get the boys signed to a major league team.
About the Story
American sports agent J.B. Bernstein and his partner Ash are struggling to acquire new talent. They learn of an Asian businessman, Chang, looking to invest in Asian-based athletes. In a moment of inspiration while watching Britain’s Got Talent and a cricket match, Bernstein comes up with an idea to tap into the Indian cricket market, through a contest called Million Dollar Arm, which will identify the best Cricket bowlers and bring them to the US for a chance to get a major League baseball contract. They pitch the idea to Chang, who buys it and gives them a year to deliver results.
Bernstein goes on a weeks long trip throughout India, during which he finds two young suitable candidates, and brings them back for training in the US, along with a prospective Indian coach. The young players struggle to learn the game, and initially fail at impressing Major League Baseball scouts during a try-out. Bernstein’s tenant and love interest, Brenda, convinces him that he owes the athletes another chance. He manages to arrange another try-out in which they pitch much better and are offered a contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Million Dollar Arm
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Jon Hamm, Lake Bell, Bill Paxton, Bar Paly, Alan Arkin, Autumn Dial, Suraj Sharma, Allyn Rachel, Bar Paly
Screenplay by: Thomas McCarthy
Production Design by: Barry Robison
Cinematography by: Gyula Pados
Film Editing by: Tatiana S. Riegel
Costume Design by: Kirston Leigh Mann
Set Decoration by: Jeanette Scott
Music by: A.R. Rahman
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language and some suggestive content.
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: May 16, 2014
Visits: 69
