Film Review: Eight Men Out

Director: John Sayles

Based on the book by Eliot Asinof which was written in 1963, it is all based around the Black Sox scandal from 1919 where eight members of the Chicago White Sox took bribes from gamblers to intentionally lose the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Many analysts have said that this was one of the darkest moments in sports history, especially in America.

The film tells the story from the players side as they go through the World Series and the sacrifices they have made to play for the penny pinching owner of the White Sox. They need the money and feel this is the best way to earn it whilst other players feel that if the game is being thrown then they might as well be in on the payout, Buck Weaver (John Cusack) plays third base and refuses to throw the game making it hard for the other players.

1919 Chicago White Sox

It is portrayed as a much more personal story, we see the players side of things as they are intentionally denied bonuses for reaching milestones by the owner who insists they are dropped so they fall just short. The players are all thinking of their futures and their families so decide to make money by throwing the game, the wider impact on the sport is slightly played down until near the end. The subject of match-fixing is still a hot topic in the world of sports today after scandals in Cricket and Football recently.

The ensemble cast is well assembled, D.B. Sweeney captures the naivety of Shoeless Joe Jackson whilst David Strathairn as Eddie Cicotte accurately portrays an aging pitcher nearing the end of his career who knows he has a family to look after when his baseball days are over. Charlie Sheen also appears in a smaller role as a young Happy Felsch. It's an enjoyable movie about a rather un-enjoyable topic.

3/4 an intriguing baseball movie that is relevant too many other sports.