6. Eight Men Out
Gambling and baseball have a thick history, too thick for some fans, and no incident is more storied than the Black Sox scandal of 1919. Eight Men Out tells the story of the ballplayers, businessmen, and bookies behind the scandal.
Almost every performance in this movie is spot on. There’s far too many that shine to be listed. Perhaps it’s John Sayles’ meticulous attention to the details of the time and the game that provide such a solid foundation for the actors to work with. The one man who shines above the rest though is John Cusack as conflicted third baseman Buck Weaver. Watching Cusack interact with his biggest fans, the kids, and give a full-blown effort while his teammates toss it in around him is to witness excellence in acting. The courtroom scene where he demands his innocence is heartbreaking, and the final scene of the film ought to spark a few tears in even the toughest of viewers.
Of course, D.B. Sweeney’s Shoeless Joe Jackson is going to be remembered as well. Jackson was the best player to be banned, and could be considered one of the most talented to ever play the game. The iconic line cried out by his biggest fan “Say it ain’t so, Joe” and Sweeney’s face as he hears it are forever etched in the memory of anyone who has seen the film.