Mickey

John Grisham wrote and produced this touching family drama about an attorney named Tripp Spence (Harry Connick Jr.), who gets in trouble with the IRS and heads for Las Vegas with his son, Derrick (Shawn Salinas), under assumed identities. Typical of Grisham, Tripp's heart gets ahead of his ethics and sense of survival and he decides--despite his need to remain anonymous--not to squelch Derrick's baseball prospects. Soon, "Mickey" (i.e., Derrick)--a talented pitcher claiming to be 12 when he is, in fact, 13--is playing for the manager (Mike Starr) of a winning team and receiving national attention, jeopardizing Tripp's freedom. This smart, enjoyable family film, directed by Hugh Wilson (Guarding Tess), features generous amounts of on-the-field baseball action, as well as an intriguing subplot about dubious practices (particularly regarding age limits) of a Cuban Little League team that Mickey faces in the playoffs. DVD extras include interviews with Wilson and Grisham. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Hugh Wilson, an interview with writer John Grisham (11 min.), an interview with Wilson (11 min.), a brief radio spot, a behind-the-scenes stills gallery, an eight-page liner notes booklet, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a decent family film.] (T. Keogh)