Watch American Pastime

American Pastime is a sports drama film that is set during the tumultuous period of World War II. It tells the story of a Japanese-American family who are forced to relocate to a detention center during the war. However, while they are still in the internment camp, the family tries to maintain some sense of hope by setting up a baseball team with other detainees.

The film is directed by Desmond Nakano and stars actors Aaron Yoo, Olesya Rulin, and Carleton Bluford. The setting of the film is in a variety of places, such as the desolate desert in the Southwest and the baseball fields of Utah. The film is also set during the 1940s, so expect to see a lot of period costumes and nostalgic music from that era.

The characters in American Pastime are complex and well-developed. All of them have their own struggles during the war, whether it’s discrimination, separation from loved ones, or dealing with their traumatic past. The main character, Lyle Nomura, is a young Japanese-American boy who dreams of playing baseball. He is played excellently by Aaron Yoo, who brings a certain charm and optimism to the role. Olesya Rulin plays Lyle’s older sister, who is an aspiring artist but is forced to put her dreams on hold due to the war. Finally, Carleton Bluford plays Lyle’s father, a former baseball star who is tormented by his memories of playing the sport before the war.

One of the biggest themes in the movie is the idea of family and how important it is to stick together during difficult times. The Nomura family is torn apart when they are forced to relocate to the internment camp, but they work tirelessly to maintain some sense of normalcy within their family. Lyle and his sister try to keep their father’s spirits up by encouraging him to become the coach of their baseball team. Meanwhile, Lyle’s mother is determined to protect her family and make sure they stay safe while incarcerated.

Another theme of the movie is discrimination and how it affects Japanese-Americans during the war. Many soldiers and civilians during that time had anti-Japanese attitudes due to the Pearl Harbor bombing, and this bigotry heavily affected the Nomura family. They are portrayed as innocent victims of the war, who are wrongfully punished for the actions of a few individuals. The film explores how racism and prejudice can tear families and communities apart, and how this kind of behavior is unacceptable.

The sport of baseball is also a huge focus of the movie, as it provides a sense of joy and unity for the detainees. The team tries to keep up their spirits by playing their favorite sport and bonding over their love of the game. The relationship between Lyle and his father is also strengthened by their shared love of baseball, as they work together to coach the team and help them win more games. The baseball scenes in the film are well-shot and exciting to watch, as the players exhibit excellent teamwork and sportsmanship on and off the field.

Overall, American Pastime is a heartwarming and poignant movie that explores themes of family, resilience, discrimination, and the power of sports. The film is expertly shot and acted, and the period setting adds a layer of authenticity to the story. It’s a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and feel a sense of empathy for the characters, who are struggling to find a way to survive during one of the most difficult times in history. If you’re a fan of sports dramas or historical movies, then American Pastime is definitely worth a watch.

American Pastime is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.