After dedicating the season to a teammate’s ailing father, a group of underestimated Ft. Worth youth baseball players takes its Cinderella run all the way to the 2002 Little League World Series—culminating in a record-breaking showdown that became an instant ESPN classic.
Luke Wilson
Bobby Ratliff
Greg Kinnear
Coach Jon Kelly
Sarah Gadon
Patti Ratliff
Molly Parker
Kathy Kelly
Lew Temple
Coach Mitch Belew
Joaquin Roberts
Peanut
Martin Roach
Sam Knight
Patrick Renna
Kliff Young
Blake DeLong
Dan Hewitt
Justin Adams
Mack Hamilton
King Orba
Ump L Wood
Taylor Hunt Wright
Coach Ben Williams
Ali Hassan
Dr. Thakur
Michael Cash
Young Robert Ratliff
Etienne Kellici
Walker Kelly
Nicholas Fry
Scooter Finley
Jacob Mazeral
Mikey Valdez
Gavin MacIver-Wright
Mitchell Belew
Scott Mackenzie
Mark Grace
Zachary Morton
Peter Kite
Josh Reich
Robby Lebus
Jacob Soley
Jack Huckabay
Evan Hasler
Patton Eagle
Davide Fair
Rand Ravnaas
Seth Murchison
Chris Rivera
Greg Ellwand
TV Announcer 1
Christopher Seivright
Harold Reynolds
Nicholas Xavier Ragonese
Kentucky Catcher
Zachary Cox
Duke Elderson
Phoenix Ellis
Todd Hamilton
Jackie English
Ditsy Attendant
Ashley Emerson
Caroline Finley
Jordan Sawyer
Older Peanut (uncredited)
McAuley Tucker
Little League Spectator (uncredited)
Rowan Tucker
Little League Spectator (uncredited)
Dominic Weedmark
Little League Spectator (uncredited)
Director, Writer
Ty Roberts
Writer
Lane Garrison
September 1, 2024
1
In the recently released 2024 film "You Gotta Believe," Luke Wilson takes on the lead role in a faith-based baseball movie that falls short of expectations. The title misleads viewers into thinking it's a feel-good underdog sports story, but instead, it veers into unnecessary comedy that detracts from the emotional depth it aims to achieve.
Wilson's casting as the lead feels out of place, his comedic nature overpowering any attempts at drama. The rushed plot fails to properly develop the characters or storyline, leaving the audience disconnected from the narrative. The lack of originality in casting and character development further hampers the film's impact, with forgettable performances across the board.
The film's attempt at incorporating faith-based elements feels forced and lacks sincerity, with a brief moment of spiritual reflection overshadowed by the overall tone of the movie. Inconsistencies, such as Wilson's character failing to realistically portray his battle with cancer, further highlight the film's shortcomings.
Overall, "You Gotta Believe" struggles to find its footing, wavering between genres and failing to deliver a cohesive and compelling story. With its poorly executed writing and lackluster performances, the film ultimately falls short of being a memorable or meaningful viewing experience.