The Catcher Was a Spy (2018)

My Review

The story of a major league baseball player who was later employed as a spy in Europe during World War II is the subject of “The Catcher Was a Spy.” Moe Berg was a ballplayer from 1923 to 1939 (with the Dodgers, White Sox, Red Sox, Indians, Senators). The U. S. government then employed him as a spy to look into Nazi Germany’s efforts to build an atom bomb.

As exciting as this sounds, the film does not capture the thrilling elements of his life and career. Lack of focus from director Ben Lewin (“Please Stand By” 2017) along with the mediocre script by Robert Rodat are to blame. It was adapted from the 1994 biographical novel of the same name by Nicholas Dawidoff.

The cast is headed by Paul Rudd, whose performance is at least adequate. Other actors include Mark Strong, Sienna Miller, Jeff Daniels, Tom Wilkinson, Giancarlo Giannini, Guy Pearce, Paul Giamatti, Connie Nielson, and Jordan Long as Babe Ruth. “The Catcher Was a Spy” is an independent production and earned zip at the box office for PalmStar Media and IFC Films. It was filmed in the Czech Republic and Boston, Mass.