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Jason (Brian Hartley) is a typical small town, high school student who loves softball. He’s the star player on his summer league team and can hardly wait for each season to begin. However, when his younger brother, David (Jack Layman) joins the team, he’s convinced this season will be a disaster. Anyone Accept David is the story of Jason’s struggle to accept his younger brother as he is and as who he is becoming, regardless of the outcome.
The film begins at the end of the boys’ school year. Jason has plans to begin working full time at a local grocery store, while fifteen year old David’s plans revolve around the softball team. He has never played before and is earnestly seeking his accomplished older brother’s approval and acceptance. As the team gathers for practice on the first weekend of summer, it’s clear that Jason is the only member of the team who dreads David’s participation. His teammates and coach welcome David and encourage him to persevere through his frustrating beginnings. Jason, on the other hand, encourages David to sit on the bench until he can help the team win.
As the season continues, Jason becomes even more critical of his brother, but the criticism is not confined to the softball field. His biting comments are apparent at home and in social situation as well. It seems as if David can do nothing right in Jason’s eyes, and, although, Jason’s friends and teammates confront him repeatedly about his behavior, Jason sees nothing wrong with his actions and attitude--until he experiences the consequences of them.
First, let me say that I found Anyone Accept David rather enjoyable to watch. The writing and acting provided some very funny moments that caused me to expel some genuine belly laughs. One of the fellow softball players, Matt (Cory Vetter), provided great comic relief and was one of the most convincing actors for me to watch. It seemed as though the cast, on the whole, was pretty inexperienced, however. Generally I felt the story was either over-acted or under-acted. The sweet spot in the middle is the place you really want to be. For this sort of place to be a reality, the actors must fully internalize the script, become the characters they portray and communicate the story to the audience in a way that causes the audience to feel as if there is no script at all--that they are receiving a genuine glimpse into the unknown lives of others. Overall, I feel the film just lacked the energy of performance that could have made this good film a great one.
Movies that revolve around sports themes are inherently ripe with opportunities to capture emotion. However, the emotion of the acting here doesn’t support the script’s suggestion that the Sluggers are passionate about their team or sport. Everyone at the games, from the fans to the players, seems rather blasé about their participation. Given the team’s centrality to the movie, this problem really drags down the film. If the director had been able to draw more emotion out of his actors throughout the film, I think this movie could possibly have been exceptional.
A very bright spot in the cast is Jason’s baby brother, Jimmy. His charismatic performance is genuine and convincing, his timing is great, and he fully embodies his character. This kid needs to keep acting, because, in my opinion, he has some incredible potential. His thoughtfulness and quality of delivery are unusual in most young children, so, in my mind, Jimmy completely stole the show.
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