"Pastime" is a wonderfully sweet little baseball film, tapping into themes that go beyond the sport itself. You don't have to like baseball to be touched by the universal elements of this film.
Some may complain that "Pastime" is stuffed with cliches and sentimentality, but for me, the film managed to transcend all that with its simple sincerity, naturalistic dialogue and splendid performances.
The story, set in the late '50s, is simple enough:
An aging bush-league relief pitcher, Roy Dean Bream (William Russ), is cheerfully oblivious — or so it seems — to the fact that he is ostracized by the younger hot shots on the Tri-City Steamers. Nor does he seem to realize that the team's owner (Jeffrey Tambor) is pressuring the manager (Noble Willingham) to retire him.
Bream has a naturally cheerful disposition, but he also simply loves the game. And he's content with the knowledge that years before he got a shot at the majors, even if it was for just "a cup of coffee," or, in other words, a single major-league game.
Eventually, a nervous, shy and very young ballplayer named Tyrone (Glenn Plummer) is recruited for the team, having shown some rough-hewn pitching talent. But he, too, finds himself treated as something of an outcast by the other players, being the only black team member.
It's only natural that these two guys would connect, but Roy Dean also sees that Tyrone has some real power in his pitching arm and realizes he just needs some training. And maybe he could use Roy Dean's own special pitch, which he has heretofore been reluctant to share with others.
"Pastime" is more character-driven than plot-driven, with special attention being paid to details and development. First-time director Robin B. Armstrong obviously took on this project as a labor of love and gives the film a sheen that belies its meager budget, extracting excellent performances from his fine cast along the way.
Russ, long a familiar supporting player in movies and television, is perfect as Roy Dean, projecting a sense of shy insecurity, even while he becomes a father-figure to Tyrone. And Plummer is fine as the insecure pitcher with the golden arm.
Tambor and Willingham are also good, as are Dierdre O'Connell, as a bartender who attracts Bream's attention, and Scott Plank, as the wise-guy pitcher who enjoys taunting Bream.
Roy Dean and Tyrone make this season's most enjoyable movie odd couple and "Pastime" is gentle, heartfelt storytelling of the kind we see all too infrequently these days.
It won't win any Oscars, but "Pastime," rated PG for some minor violence and profanity, will win over an audience, given half a chance. At the Sundance Film Festival in January, it did just that — taking the Audience Award under its original title, "One Cup of Coffee."