The Scout (1994)
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22% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
23% of users liked it
(7,373 ratings)
After several weeks filming The Scout in the late 1970s, star Peter Falk and director Howard Zieff abandoned the project. Two decades later, writer Andrew Bergman gave his original script to Albert Brooks and Monica Johnson, who polished it as a vehicle for Brooks and director Michael Ritchie.… More After several weeks filming The Scout in the late 1970s, star Peter Falk and director Howard Zieff abandoned the project. Two decades later, writer Andrew Bergman gave his original script to Albert Brooks and Monica Johnson, who polished it as a vehicle for Brooks and director Michael Ritchie. Brooks stars as Al Percolo, a talent scout for the New York Yankees whose latest recruit (Michael Rapaport) has just vomited on the field and fled. Sent to Mexico as punishment by his boss (Lane Smith), Percolo finds phenomenal young pitcher Steve Nebraska (Brendan Fraser). Before he can get back to the Big Apple, however, Percolo gets pink-slipped by the Yankees, so he offers Nebraska as a free agent. After a stellar tryout, Nebraska is signed for millions. Soon after, he starts to exhibit odd behaviors that may be linked to psychological problems. A psychiatrist (Dianne Wiest) hired by the ball club wants Nebraska in daily therapy, so Percolo ends up babysitting a mentally unstable pitcher. Brooks's normally winning mix of laughs with psychological insights didn't add up to box office or critical success, despite cameos from real-life sports figures such as George Steinbrenner and Steve Garvey. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Ritchie
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Sep 30, 1994 Wide
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
The Scout is the best comedy-fantasy about baseball ever made, which goes to show that if Hollywood keeps trying, eventually someone will get it right.
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Brian Lowry, Variety
Even with the modest allure of Albert Brooks in what amounts to a mainstream effort, The Scout should get a quick trip to the showers.
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Caryn James, New York Times
The Scout was directed by Michael Ritchie and written by Mr. Brooks and Monica Johnson from a script written by Andrew Bergman years ago. It's probably not all that valuable to wonder how so many talented people went so wrong.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Rarely does a movie start high and go downhill so fast. It's as if the filmmakers progressively lost their nerve with every additional scene.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
A genuine -- and immensely enjoyable -- curiosity.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Albert Brooks
as Al Percolo
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Brendan Fraser
as Steve Nebraska
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Dianne Wiest
as Doctor H. Aaron
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Lane Smith
as Ron Wilson
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Anne Twomey
as Jennifer
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Michael Rapaport
as Tommy Lacy
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Tony Bennett
as Himself
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John Capodice
as Caruso
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Josh Clark
as Reporter
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Jose Luis Cortes
as Mexican Desk Clerk
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Steve Eastin
as Clubhouse Manager
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Roy Firestone
as Himself
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Garfield
as Stan
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Steve Garvey
as Himself
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Keith Hernandez
as Himself
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John LaMotta
as Elevator Guard
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Jordan Lage
as Reporter
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Larry Loonin
as Radar Gun Man
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Tim McCarver
as Himself
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Harsh Nayyar
as Cab Driver
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Gabriel Pingarron
as Mexican Umpire
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Jack Rader
as Mr. Lacy
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Marcia Rodd
as Mrs. Lacy
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Ozzie Smith
as Himself
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Charlie Stavola
as Doorman
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Lee Weaver
as Ben
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Chuck Waters
as Photographer
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Steven M. Porter
as Reporter
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Frank Slaten
as College Umpire
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John B. Sterling
as Himself
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Barry Shabaka Henley
as McDermott
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George Steinbrenner
as Himself
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Brett Rickaby
as George's Assistant
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Bruce Wright
as Reporter
