Grown Together
Ellison Lowry | Pasadena, CA | 09/24/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It is not often you get to see in real life how we really have a choice in how we grow. Fielder's Choice shows a man begin to learn what it means to share life. When his young nephew is thrown into life after losing his mom in a car accident Fielder is left with choice whether or not to take in this boy as his own.
As the kid grows on him it is nice to see how he opens up to the world around him. Speaking as a native Californian I know how difficult it is to open up to the world around me because out here people are so isolated; perhaps they live here because of the isolation and they prefer their lives that way.
Despite this Fielder in the end comes around and makes the right choice but not because the rest of the world thought it was right and not because his nephew needed him but because he himself needed to grow."
Fielder's choice--
Michelle Polk | Mississippi, USA | 03/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"a decent drama from hallmark. Chad lowe plays a very self centered man thrown a curve in life that makes him have a choice to make. I can recommend this movie for the whole family. He is put in charge of his nephew who in turns teaches him that there is more to life than a career and himself."
"Fielder's Dream" a Disappointment
GRK | 08/25/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"As others have noted, "Fielder's Choice" is indeed a "safe" film for all family members--no foul language, no violence or nudity, etc., and the basic theme (self-absorbed single work-a-holic bachelor eventually coming to grips with the world outside of himself in the person of his orphaned autistic nephew) is certainly innocuous enough. Unfortunately, what had the potential to be a truly moving film was undercut, in my view, by a totally predictable, slow-moving and poorly-developed story-line, mediocre cinematography, and many scenes that simply did not come across as true-to-life. For these reasons, I believe most parents will discover that their kids (no matter what age) will find the movie unbearably boring--thus negating the hoped-for "quality" family time.
For those who are looking for a somewhat similar type of moving, family-safe film, I'd suggest taking a look at "The Heart of Texas" as one good alternative. It's a documentary, also moves along somewhat slowly (though the run-time is just over an hour, so about 30 minutes shorter than "Fielder's Choice"), but it is a true story that is told effectively. One caveat: watch the film when all viewers are wide-awake and can focus on the film's theme (the power of forgiveness); the "action" alone will not keep anyone awake! But I'd have to say that that warning is even truer for the much-less-effective "Fielder's Choice!""