Past the Bleachers

This is one of those rare occasions when the movie is better than the book it is taken from. As is often the case in film adaptation, some of the characters are homogenized and this screenplay actually tightens up some of the looser elements from the book. The characterizations and insights into the struggles of rebuilding a life following traumatic loss ring true. Each character reacts differently and they negotiate that fine line between having events tear them apart and having those events bring them closer together. The children in the film have unique personalities and stand out as individuals other than some generic child prototype as is often the case especially regarding children as secondary characters. Some of the less appealing "magical" elements from the book are mercifully discarded keeping the audience grounded in the intimate reality of the experience.

The story Bill Parish who has lost his son and who coaches a little league baseball team.

If you love little league baseball movies you will love this one. Richard Dean Anderson did a great job in this made for tv movie of playing a father who son died. A boy named Lucky Diamond (whose parents died) is drawn to Bill Parish (Anderson) and Bill realizes this boy needs him as much as he needs him. Also starting Bernard Hughes as Ed Godfrey A great movie for the entire family.

"Past the Bleachers" is a perfect movie to watch on a rainy afternoon. Instant sunshine for your heart and soul. A style of movie that is, uh, the hallmark of Hallmark Entertainment.

This is a made for TV movie that originally aired on ABC in 1985. It is about a husband and wife struggling to continue on with their lives after the death of their 11 year old son. About their friends who care about them, and want to help them.

A charming movie, with some humor, poignancy, and love.

Richard Dean Anderson is really a good actor. He was great in MacGyver, Stargate, etc., but this movie reveals his skills outside the action hero genre. The movie is great, too. As mentioned in the other reviews, the spirit of the film deals with loss well, and the mystery keeps the interest keen. All of the acting is believable; the direction is strong. This is a refreshing story about humanity without being too maudlin or formulaic. Nicely done. Richard Dean Anderson is really a good actor. He was great in MacGyver, Stargate, etc., but this movie reveals his skills outside the action hero genre. The movie is great, too. As mentioned in the other reviews, the spirit of the film deals with loss well, and the mystery keeps the interest keen. All of the acting is believable; the direction is strong. This is a refreshing story about humanity without being too maudlin or formulaic. Nicely done.

The story of a man who has lost his son and who is drafted into coaching a little league team where he encounters a child that needs him.

This movie is squarely in the `Hallmark mode' dealing with issues such as the loss of a child, the uselessness felt by seniors. At the same time, it's not quite as obvious as other movies of this type and even includes a bit of a mystery. Overall the film is eminently watchable. You care about the characters and are quickly drawn into the story. As with so many of the Hallmark series there's an undercurrent of optimism and faith in the strength and goodness of people. This life affirming film is definitely worth a watch.