Movie Digest
A story feels like a biopic, not on any specific person, but on all those people who face gender biasing, especially women. The chances of women achieving their dream are comparatively very less, if the field is sports, then the difficulty is much higher. Baseball Girl is one such movie that tells the story of a struggling baseball player that too a middle-class young girl who is struggling to achieve her dream of becoming a baseball player. She is being rejected, bullied, and even questioned about her unwavering attitude towards her goal. The story starts with a written fact “When the Korean Professional Baseball League (KBO League) was founded in 1982; a player who wasn’t “biologically male” was disqualified, till 1996″. There was this one girl, Joo Soo-In (Lee Joo-Young), the only girl on her high school baseball team along with a self-made reputation as a “Genius Baseball Player”. But being a girl to survive in this field is quite a difficult task. What are the struggles that Joo Soo In has to face? Watch the series to know more.
The Feel-Good Part
Though this is not a biopic but feels like one because of the realistic and natural nature of the narration. Choi Jin-tae (Lee Joon-hyuk), the coach of Soo In, finally understands and encourages her to develop her strong points rather than focus on her weak points, which is one of the best conversations in the whole movie.
The Disappointing Factor
Yun Tae Choi, the director, and writer of Baseball Girl did a fantastic job in maintaining the reality of everyday life. He didn’t narrate the story only through Joo Soo In, but also included the lives of everyone surrounding her. Lee Jeong-ho’s (Kwak Dong-Yeon) characterization is good but could have more space in the story. The only disappointing factor is that the movie is too straightforward and serious. If you are looking for a slight comedy or a light love story in between the core of the story, then this is not an option.
In-Depth Analysis
Joo Soo In, the protagonist of the story, dreamt of becoming a professional baseball player, facing a handful of difficulties throughout her journey. Nevertheless, being a genius player, the circumstances and surroundings continuously threatens and discourages her from going towards her goal. The discouraging former coach, bigoted scouts, and sports authorities continuously compelled her to quit the game. Her family’s financial condition and her mother’s concerns add up to the already miserable Joo Soo In. Despite all these disappointing circumstances, Joo Soo In continued her practice with more passion and she is obstinate to become a professional player.
Yum Hye-Ran is portrayed as the only breadwinner of the family, who is the mother of two, sacrificing every day to meet both ends. Her financial conditions compel her to become a rude mother who is against her daughter’s dream.
Choi Jin-tae (Lee Joon-hyuk), the newly appointed coach who once failed of becoming a professional player, was previously against Joo Soo In, but then realizes her passion and determination. He encourages her to grow towards her goal.
Even the climax scene feels so dear to our hearts and we don’t need a better ending than this.
Star Power
If the viewer can completely understand the Director’s vision, then the credit goes to the casting apart from the cinematography. The highlight acting is by Lee Joo-Young for the central character Joo Soo-In. She gave life to the strong and determined, yet vulnerable Joo Soo In. Lee Joon-hyuk as Choi Jin Tae excelled in portraying a strict yet compassionate coach. The purity of a mother’s love and concern even though she is wrong at times is completely justified by Yeom Hye-ran.
Overall Opinion
“Baseball Girl”, is an inspiring drama sports film, where we get to see the complexity of gender discrimination and also instil the fruitful thought of strong willpower and hard work. The film will leave a deep impression on every youthful heart.
