Granted that the target audience seems extremely niche and I am far removed from said audience. “City Without Baseball” is one of the hardest films I have had to review. This makes the whole production, both frustrating and fascinating at the same time. So, although the film’s underlying theme seems apparent to my sensibilities, it also seems a lot of work was done to subvert those themes. I also find the prospect of an entire sports team consenting to star in a film which seems aimed at a gay audience rather unlikely and I imagine they were given a different impression into what the film would be. The use of actual baseball players seems more like a calculated move to get more homo-erotic content in, as a notable amount of conflict takes place while naked in the change room. ![]() Firstly, all the men live a heterosexual lifestyle which exists in stark contrast to their actions and words amongst each other. Although I would put this movie within the “gay” genre it has a lot of conflicting themes which make it difficult to pin down. One of the major struggles that most viewers will face comes with the film’s underlying homoerotic themes. Perhaps budget restraints lead them deciding not to stage a tournament, but how they chose to film it is very perplexing. Given the outcome of the game not really fitting the narrative of the film, it gives the impression everything was written and shot except for the closing act, and the film completed after tournament results. The story builds up to a major tournament and the film cuts, awkwardly, to actual TV footage, so the tournament is not a re-enactment but the actual televised playoffs. On the back of these strange choices, and others not mentioned here, perhaps the oddest choice is in the ending itself. Each track also includes birth dates and an end date, which gives the impression of paying tribute to dead musicians, which does not fit in well with the theme or the tone of the production. Building on top of these awkward performances, the music also seems utilized in such a way that it removes you from the film and instead of bringing a stronger connection, the overly romanticized lyrics more showcase how the film is failing in the genre. A good example is in the lead Yu Chung Leung, whose entire performance is so jilted and hammy that any attempts to make him into a romantic lead are squashed by his limited skills as an actor. ![]() With the choice of using actual baseball players in, what seems, like an attempt to get more legitimacy and recognition, the acting in the film feels very forced and awkward. “ City Without Baseball” has many curious and outlandish creative choices, which, although the execution in all artistic aspects falls pretty flat, they still create an odd appeal within those choices. The two still push forward through the chaos, in an attempt to bring the team together before the nationals. However, Ron’s interest in Chung’s girlfriend soon sees the pair fighting again. ![]() In an attempt to save the team, Ron reaches out to Chung and tries to close the distance. With Chung being more sensitive, reserved and a romantic, he clashes with the more gruff and hardened teammates. On top of the team not having much faith in the young pitcher’s skill, they dislike his personality. The main conflict arises between the main starter pitcher Ron and relief pitcher Chung after Ron injures his arm in a bar fight and the team has to turn to Chung.
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