Sent for punishment into deepest Mexico, a New York Yankee baseball scout lives out a version of his most cherished myth, King Kong: going into the jungle and coming back to civilization with the Eighth Wonder of the World (in this case, a 100-plus-mile-an-hour fastball). Trouble is, the Wonder Boy is also something of a Wild Child (not in the baseball sense, for he throws nothing but strikes), and he requires the imprimatur of a psychiatrist to validate his $55 million contract. The baseball elements are typically preposterous, and the movie doesn't follow through (to the top of a metaphorical Empire State Building) on its own idea; doesn't stick to its own logic. But Albert Brooks brings emotional complexity (without short-changing us on laughs) to the straw-hatted scout; and Dianne Wiest brings the correct tone of voice to the therapist. With Brendan Fraser; directed by Michael Ritchie. (1994) — Duncan Shepherd
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