Cobb

Tommy Lee Jones is one hell of an actor....we all know that...so when I say here he gives the performance of his life...well...you know that's saying something. As biopics go you would be hard pressed to find any better than COBB. Based on the time sports writer Al Stump spent with Cobb leading up to his death this film deal with some extremely complex issues and I shan't ruin the haunting effect this examination of a life will have on you by divulging the plot details. Robert Wuhl, who portays Stump, is perfect for the role and amazingly more than holds his own alongside Jones. Sadly, the real life Stump passed away just shortly after the film's release. Jones craggly faced style is perfectly suited for the lead, he literally IS Ty Cobb. Also of note is the fine directing style of Ron Shelton,. In the Cooperstown hall of fame induction scene, Shelton manages to capture the dementia which was quickly erroding Cobbs grip on reality and the effect is truly brilliant. His beautiful wife Lolita Davidovich does som fine work here as well. As this is in part a baseball film it sure doesn't hurt to have a director who actually played the game, having spent four years in the Baltimore Orioles farm system. I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly when he was here in Toronto shooting WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP and must say he was quite likeable. I say this is a baseball film in part because this is really an examination of a conflicted man's life....a man who just happened to be a ball player, one of the best to ever play the game. Look for cameos from Roger Clemens, Ernie Harwell and Jimmy Buffett as an armless dude and you might even wish to grab the soundtrack by Elliot Goldenthal on disc.