‘Million Dollar Arm’ Cast & Filmmakers on the Moving Story of Dreams Beyond the Field

By Carlos Aguilar.

Once a Hollywood staple, Family films have become a rare occurrence in the industry these days. Probably not for a lack of interest, but because the term has now been attributed only to animated films or superhero flicks with mass appeal. A true Family film, a live-action one that is, usually delivers a heartwarming lesson about kindness, hope, and of course the importance of family all while being entertaining, funny, and all-inclusive. Movies that can really be enjoyed by everyone without the need for violence do have a place in the market still, which has been sadly forgotten. Of course, if there is anyone that is associated with such films it would be Disney, and they seem to have found the perfect material for such a film in the incredible true story behind “Million Dollar Arm.”

Starring John Hamm as JB Bernstein, a sports agent who goes out on a limp and decides to search for new baseball talent in India. The Mad Men leading man was shocked to discover that the screenplay he was reading came from real events and real characters “I’m a big baseball fan and somehow this flew under my radar” said Hamm. Nonetheless, the actor explain the film is something he enjoyed precisely because it was so different from his regular TV gig “This is an incredibly uplifting story about thinking outside the box, and about following through, working hard and succeeding. It is 180 degrees from Don Draper, the character that I play regularly, but it is funny, it’s heartfelt, it’s emotional and it’s not a sports movie” clarified the charming actor.

Hamm’s romantic interest in the film is played by Lake Bell, who also connected deeply with the story of two Indian achieving the impossible “I don’t know squat about baseball or sports, and when I watch this movie, I’m always utterly moved because there is something about raw talent and hard work that is undeniable, anybody can relate to that” said the talented lady. Bell also notes that she was drawn to the project because of screenwriter Tom McCarthy and the way he wrote a strong female character based on JB’s real life wife Brenda “This is a huge testament to Tom McCarthy who wrote the screenplay. I’m a fan of him; in the script everybody has their own world. The female character in a sea of make characters, is still well thought out, that’s what really attracted me the to script so much. I think that in a sea of gentleman and in a sports- related movie the female character can be left on the sidelines, but the character herself is very present and it is an emotional catalyst for John’s character.”

Of course it is important to know the point of those whose story is being portrayed on the screen. JB Bernstein himself was pleasantly impressed with the way his story was told “When someone is gonna make a story about your life there is a lot of trepidation but because of the Roth Films guys and the Mayhem Pictures guys, I had a huge level of trust, I have known those guys forever. I kind of stood back and let them put this together. I spent a lot of time with Tom and I think that is reflected in what John and Lake are saying. Tom would call me at 3 in the morning and say “what would Brenda say to you if you did this?” [Laughs]. He also spent a lot of time with Rinku and Danesh” said Bersntein.

Bernstein assures that the most important elements of the story are entirely based on what really happened “What’s amazing about this sorry is that my fish out of water journey is almost exactly how it happen down to costumes, Rinku and Danesh’s journey as well, the way I fell in live with my wife, their first tryout which was a hundred percent my fault [Laushs], the way they succeed with their second tryout which was entirely their fault, all the major points are exactly as they happen. My wife and I went to watch it and it felt like an out of body experience.”

Producers Mark Clardi and Gordon Gray, known for bringing stories like this to live, described “Million Dollar Arm” as a non-cynical film in a cynical world. The fact that two kids could come from a far away land and become something amazing is unreal, this dream is embodied in the real life protagonist Rinku and Danesh. The former describes his experience as “moving to another planet”, and he wishes that American kids and young men around the world can learn from his struggles and be inspired.

On the other hand, Hamm also praised director Craig Gillespie’s ability to managed the tone of the film making it at once touching and entertaining “I was so amazed at how Greg so expertly managed the tone of the film, and not veer into a world of sentimentality or sappiness or over earnestness, and stayed true to the basis of the story, which has this incredibly emotional component.”

Whether you are baseball fan or have never thrown a ball in your life, “Million Dollar Arm” will tap into more elemental human emotions. The ability to have dreams and to have a chance to make the unfathomable real is something most people can feel a connection with. Not surprisingly this is a project that resonated with Hamm, and which the actor is eager to share with the audience. “It’s a movie that moves you. I was pleasantly surprised hen I saw the finish product and how it is much more than the sum of its parts. It has this wonderful message. In my day I play not the greatest guy in the world and it’s nice that I get to be in something that has a message. It’s a film that I can tell my friends to take their children. Having spoken to JB, I know these events changed his life positively, it is a tremendous honor to be able to tell that story, I’m so proud of it and I want people to see it,” concluded the leading man.

“Million Dollar Arm” will hit theaters nationwide on May 16.