Watch High & Outside: A Baseball Noir

High & Outside: A Baseball Noir from 2017 is a dramatic thriller film about a young pitcher named Terry Burk who aspires to play professionally in the big leagues. This movie is set against the backdrop of the minor league baseball circuit, where Burk hopes to make a name for himself and be noticed by talent scouts that can propel him to the majors.

The film opens with Terry Burk arriving in the small town of Durham to join the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team. Terry is a hotheaded and fearless pitcher who is known for his incredible fastball, but he also has a chip on his shoulder due to a difficult past. Despite his on-field success, he struggles to control his temper and has a hard time fitting in with his new teammates.

As the season unfolds, Terry becomes involved with the local crime boss, a man named Doc, who sees the pitcher as a valuable asset to his illegal enterprises. Doc promises Terry that he can help him get to the major leagues, but at a hefty cost. Terry must agree to participate in Doc's shady dealings, or risk losing the chance to achieve his dreams.

Meanwhile, Terry is also struggling with personal issues. He has a strained relationship with his mother, who abandoned him as a child, and he is haunted by the memory of his late father, a former minor league player who died under mysterious circumstances. Terry's demons threaten to overwhelm him, and he begins to spiral out of control.

High & Outside contains themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and competition that are inherent in the sport of baseball. The film presents a dark, gritty portrayal of life in the minor leagues, where players are forced to endure grueling travel schedules and low pay, all while fighting for the opportunity to advance to the next level.

The three main actors in High & Outside deliver powerful performances that drive the story forward. Geoffrey Lewis plays Doc, the villainous crime boss who exudes a quiet menace throughout the movie. Ernie Hudson is the wise and experienced coach that leads the Durham Bulls, and he brings a commanding presence to the film. Jason James Richter, who made a name for himself as the star of the Free Willy franchise in the 1990s, delivers a nuanced performance as Terry Burk. Richter portrays Terry as a complex character whose ambition to succeed in baseball is at odds with his troubled past.

One of the strengths of High & Outside is its stylish direction by Evald Johnson. The film employs a noir aesthetic, with dark and shadowy cinematography, which helps to create a sense of tension and danger throughout the movie. The use of black and white photography for certain scenes underscores the themes of good versus evil that are central to the story.

High & Outside may not be for everyone, as it is a dark and brooding movie that doesn't shy away from showing the seedy side of minor league baseball. However, for those who appreciate a well-crafted thriller with strong performances, High & Outside will not disappoint. The film serves as a reminder that the sport of baseball is not just about statistics and numbers, but rather, it is a sport that reflects the complexities of human nature, with all its flaws and triumphs.

High & Outside: A Baseball Noir is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.