Watch Fear Strikes Out

Fear Strikes Out is a biographical sports movie directed by Robert Mulligan, which was released in 1957. The movie features an excellent cast of actors who bring the story to life, including Anthony Perkins, Karl Malden, and Norma Moore. The movie is based on the true story of Jimmy Piersall, a baseball player, who battled mental illness throughout his career. The movie follows Piersall (played by Perkins), a young and talented baseball player, who desperately wants to fulfill his father's dream of a baseball career. However, his father, John (played by Malden), is an overbearing and strict man who puts immense pressure on Jimmy to succeed.

As Jimmy's career starts to take off, he begins to experience severe anxiety and paranoia, which results in erratic behavior. His condition worsens, and he starts to suffer from hallucinations, leading him to be hospitalized. The movie shows the struggles that Jimmy faces as he tries to cope with his mental illness while also trying to salvage his career.

The movie explores the relationship between Jimmy and his father, which is complicated and tumultuous. John wants his son to succeed at any cost, which means pushing him beyond his limits. However, his approach ends up being counterproductive as it only worsens Jimmy's condition. Throughout the movie, Jimmy's mother (played by Moore) acts as a voice of reason, trying to bring some sense and balance to the situation.

Fear Strikes Out is a well-crafted and emotional movie that explores the complexity of mental illness and the impact it can have on an individual's life. The movie does an excellent job of portraying the struggles that Jimmy faces, and the toll it takes on his family. Additionally, the movie portrays the stigmatization of mental illness during that time and the lack of understanding on the part of society.

The performances in the movie are outstanding. Perkins delivers a powerful performance, portraying the vulnerability and emotional turmoil of his character with authenticity. Malden's portrayal of the overbearing and controlling father adds an extra layer of tension to the movie. Moore's performance as the caring and understanding mother is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The movie's visuals are well done and provide a sense of the period. The baseball scenes are well choreographed and executed, adding an additional layer of realism to the movie. The cinematography does an excellent job of conveying the emotions and inner turmoil of Jimmy, adding to the movie's emotional intensity.

The movie's pacing is excellent, with the plot advancing at a good pace. The movie is gripping and engaging, keeping the audience invested until the end. The movie's runtime is just over an hour and a half, making it an easily digestible movie that does not overstay its welcome.

Overall, Fear Strikes Out is an excellent movie that offers a poignant and emotional exploration of mental illness and family dynamics. The movie's performances, visuals, and pacing all contribute to creating a highly engaging and memorable movie. The movie offers valuable insights into an important topic and is a must-watch for anyone interested in sports movies or movies exploring mental health.

Fear Strikes Out is a 1957 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.