Carson Lund’s nostalgic home run of feature-length film debut is an underdog unto itself, a low-fi indie that’s like a scrappy team that comes back in the bottom of the ninth. It takes its place in the spring film season today.
Lund has played various positions himself — as a critic, a cinematographer and a filmmaker. With “Eephus,” he strikes a tone-perfect balance, toggling between mirth and wistfulness. Positioned entirely during a single game — the final contest between two adult recreational New England league teams, the River Dogs and Adler’s Paint on a field slated for closing — “Eephus” introduces us to an eccentric batch of mostly middle-aged players and hangers on, such as ultra-tenacious score keeper Franny (Cliff Blake) and River Dogs pitcher Troy (David Pridemore) who starts to chug down beers and actually seems to perform better.
But Lund is not looking to ridicule such characters for easy laughs, he instead focuses on their human and relatable foibles for a gentle story that touches the heart and adds comfort to our nostalgia-thirsty souls. Even famed Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee joins in the fun.
As with most baseball games, nothing much happens in “Eephus.” Look under the surface, though, and you realize everything about life is pretty much playing out on that diamond. Go see it!
Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.
‘EEPHUS’
3 stars out of 4
Not rated (contains obscenities)
Starring: Keith William Richards, Frederick Wiseman, Cliff Blake, David Pridemore, Ray Hryb, Bill “Spaceman” Lee
Director: Carson Lund
Running time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
When & where: Opens March 21 at the Rafael Film Center, San Rafael and the Metreon in San Francisco; opens March 28 at the New Alamo Drafthouse, San Francisco.
