Pastime

Theatrical Release Date: 1991 08 23 (USA)

UPC: 786936207491

Studio: Miramax

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Suitable for Children, Profanity]

Summary: This highly rated independent production was written years before Bull Durham, and though it covers much of the same territory, it is considered worth seeing in its own right. In the story, Roy Dean Bream (William Russ) is too old to be part of his minor-league baseball team's cultural mainstream. In short, he's often ignored, derided, or treated to the worst or last of everything, like any other outcast. Tyrone (Glenn Plummer) is so young that it gives the same teammates who shun Roy the willies and reminds them that they too are getting older -- so he's an outcaste, too. What could be more natural than for these two men to seek one another out. It doesn't matter that the older man is white, the younger is black. They both love the game, and Roy has been around the block a few times and has plenty to teach Tyrone. When the time comes for Roy to be sent to retirement, everyone holds their breaths to see how he will react. It's a pity they didn't get to know him better, or they would know that this kind, generous man wishes them all well. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Best Actor – Independent Spirit Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Actress – Independent Spirit Awards Best Cinematography – Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Actor – Independent Spirit Awards Audience Award – Sundance Film Festival

Features: ccDolby Digital Surround Sound
Widescreen (1.85:1), enhanced for 16 x 9 televisions
Trailor

Pastime

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 04/08/2003

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DDS Dolby Digital Surround

Runtime: 95 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Opening Montage [2:57]
2. The Rookie [2:01]
3. Play Ball! [7:52]
4. All About the Benjamins [3:29]
5. What Rhymes With Pool? [3:54]
6. You've Got a Friend [8:28]
7. Jealousy [1:52]
8. Smokin'! [3:19]
9. Goin' to Kansas City [4:53]
10. Deck Him, Tyrone [5:34]
11. 3 Strikes [9:02]
12. You Askin' Me Out? [6:44]
13. One Big Happy Family [3:38]
14. The Big Mouth [9:20]
15. Night Game [7:36]
16. The Funeral [4:49]
17. The Bream Dream [5:30]
18. End Credits [3:43]

Derek Armstrong

Baseball has always had a built-in sense of wistfulness, and the washed-up veteran pitcher is a pretty archetypal representation of that. The subject matter of Pastime is not, therefore, what you would call "new"; even the title recalls the sport's American pastoral origins, and that's far from the only derivative element in the movie. But that doesn't mean Robin B. Armstrong's film doesn't contain a few surprises -- curveballs, if you will. Like the lazy pace of the game itself, Pastime lulls viewers into thinking it's a straightforward, sentimental baseball movie about an aw-shucks minor league pitcher trying to keep his plucky good humor, despite being well past his prime. Much of William Russ' performance as Roy Dean Bream -- what is it about fictitious baseball players named Roy? -- reinforces that stereotype. However, in a couple key scenes, Russ lets loose with anguish and frustration that are far more intense than the usual display for a would-be stoical hero. The choice helps underscore just how professional sports consume their athletes, who in real life are notorious for their many false retirements, a bull-headed confidence in their eroding skills, and compromised dignity. While everything about Russ' performance is likeable, there's a sly element to his character that contradicts audience sympathy -- rooting for him is essentially like rooting for someone to keep deluding himself. The rest of the cast is made up of typical character types -- the brash locker room bully, the crusty old manager, the bottom-line owner -- and as the other clubhouse outsider, Glenn Plummer doesn't make much of an impression. But by virtue of its insightfulness and a few bits of unexpected daring, Pastime is a good enough way to while away a couple hours. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Joe Banks  Actor 
Troy Evans  Actor 
Tony Jaramillo  Actor 
Vince McAllister  Actor 
Tom Pletts  Actor 
Larry Stalhaufer  Actor 
Don Perry  Actor 
Darryl Allen  Actor 
Greg Chizek  Actor 
Ricky Paull Goldin  Actor 
John Martin  Actor 
Duke Snider  Actor 
Darin Burton  Actor 
Chuck Fick  Actor 
Kathryn Kates  Actor 
Peter Murnik  Actor 
Brogan Roche  Actor 
Joe Szczepanski  Actor 
Michael Wood  Actor 
John Achorn  Actor 
Richard Cavazos  Actor 
Glen Gillespie  Actor 
David Lyons  Actor 
Don Newcombe  Actor 
Charles Tyner  Actor 
Craig Stark  Actor 
Mark Benedetto  Actor 
Bob Feller  Actor 
Lonnie Kalapp  Actor 
Sy Mogel  Actor 
Charles Stranski  Actor 
John Jones  Actor 
Sue Cash  Actor 
Meghan Geary  Actor 
Harman Killebrew  Actor 
Mike Neil  Actor 
Reed Rudy  Actor 
Chris Allen  Actor 
Aaron Albert  Actor 
Michael Chieffo  Actor 
Mary Pat Gleason  Actor 
Mike Main  Actor 
Patrick O'Bryan  Actor 
Rick Slagls  Actor 
Paul Visone  Actor 
Ernie Banks  Actor 
Tommy Davidson  Actor 
John Homa  Actor 
Bill Mazeroski  Actor 
Tony Solis  Actor 
Sarah Zinsser  Actor 
Robin B. Armstrong  Director 
Robin B. Armstrong  Producer 
David M. Eyre, Jr.  Screenwriter 
Lee Holdridge  Composer (Music Score) 
Eric Tynan Young  Producer 
William Russ  Actor 
Glenn Plummer  Actor 
Noble Willingham  Actor 
Jeffrey Tambor  Actor 
Scott Plank  Actor 
Deirdre O'Connell  Actor 

Country: USA