The Final Season (2007)
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26% of critics liked it
(50 reviews) -
67% of users liked it
(2,888 ratings)
A place where baseball is more than just a game fights to hold on to the national pastime in this drama inspired by a true story. Norway, IA, is a little town where folks take baseball seriously -- so much so that even though Norway's high school boasts less than a hundred students, their… More A place where baseball is more than just a game fights to hold on to the national pastime in this drama inspired by a true story. Norway, IA, is a little town where folks take baseball seriously -- so much so that even though Norway's high school boasts less than a hundred students, their baseball team has brought home the state championship 19 times. Jim Van Scoyoc (Powers Boothe), Norway High's baseball coach, has received national attention for his skill with players, and when passionate baseball fan Kent Stock (Sean Astin) lands a teaching position nearby, he volunteers to work as an assistant for Van Scoyoc. While Stock cherishes his time with Van Scoyoc, he takes a job working in Saint Louis, where he plans to move with his fiancée. However, he changes his plans when he gets some unexpected news -- due to shrinking enrollment and budget cuts, Norway's high school is soon to close, and their upcoming baseball season is likely to be their last. Over the fierce objections of his girlfriend, Stock passes on the job in St. Louis to spend one last spring in Norway and help Van Scoyoc as he takes one last shot at taking his team to the state championship. Meanwhile, the citizens of Norway wage a legal battle to keep the school open, and the state sends a lawyer, Polly Hudson (Rachael Leigh Cook), to Norway to represent them. While Stock and Hudson are bitter enemies at the start of the season, with time she begins to understand the sense of tradition and love of the game that fuels Stock and the people of Norway. Also featuring Larry Miller, Tom Arnold, and Michael Angarano, The Final Season received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- David M. Evans
- Written By
- Art D'Alessandro, James Grayford
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 12, 2007 Wide
- Studio
- Yari Film Group
Critic Reviews
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Jennifer Preyss, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An exciting family picture, worthy of viewing, if only for the warm-fuzzy feeling.
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Ted Fry, Seattle Times
Perhaps if Disney had gotten their hands on it, The Final Season would have gotten the spitball polish it needs.
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Why is it enjoyable to watch sporting events depicted when we know how the games will end -- how they have to end? Where does the tension come from? Why do we care when we know already?
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Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
For once, here's a sports movie that doesn't feature players who are expected to lose.
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Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Belying the claim there's no longer any truth in advertising, The Final Season is exactly the formulaic, by-the-numbers movie it appears to be. These Tigers deserved better.
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Cast
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Sean Astin
as Kent Stock
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Powers Boothe
as Coach Jim Van Scoyoc
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Rachael Leigh Cook
as Polly Hudson
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James Gammon
as Jacob Akers
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Larry Miller
as Roger Dempsey
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Marshall Bell
as Harvey Makepeace
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Tom Arnold
as Burt Akers
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Michael Angarano
as Mitch Akers
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Lucinda Jenney
as Sheryl Van Scoyoc
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Angela Paton
as Anne Akers
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Brett Claywell
as Patrick Iverson
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Danielle Savre
as Cindy Iverson
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Dayton Callie
as Mr. Stewart
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Nick Livingston
as Kevin Stewart
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Roscoe Myrick
as Sammy Wilson
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Mackenzie Astin
as Chip Dolan
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Alexander "Sandy" Roos
as Steve Myers
