Game 6 (2005)

Combining real and fictional events, Game 6 centers around the historic 1986 World Series and a day in the life of a playwright who skips opening night to watch the momentous game.

Director:

Michael Hoffman

Writer:

Don DeLillo

Stars:

Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr., Ari Graynor

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Keaton	...	Nicky Rogan
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Steven Schwimmer
Ari Graynor	...	Laurel Rogan
Bebe Neuwirth	...	Joanna Bourne
Griffin Dunne	...	Elliott Litvak
Shalom Harlow	...	Paisley Porter
Nadia Dajani	...	Renee Simons
Harris Yulin	...	Peter Redmond
Roger Rees	...	Jack Haskins
Tom Aldredge	...	Michael Rogan
Lillias White	...	Toyota Moseby
Amir Ali Said	...	Matthew
Catherine O'Hara	...	Lillian Rogan
Rock Kohli	...	Ramaswamy Choudhry
John Tormey	...	George, Georgie, Giorgio

Storyline

Nicky Rogan's new play is opening on Broadway and many agree, he has written the best play his career. Or has he? Critic Steven Schwimmer is slated to review and he's ruined many a playwright with his scathing words. Nicky is becoming concerned, but instead chooses to obsess over his Red Sox and their chances again the Mets in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Will the Sox and his play come crashing down on the same night?

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Plot Keywords:

play | world series | playwright | opening night | breast fondling | 

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Taglines:

Where were *you* on that night?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin Hindi

Release Date:

January 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

6-os játszma

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Serenade Films, Double Play, Vox3 Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 80 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Hoffman says, in his commentary, that although they had to shoot fifteen or sixteen takes of some scenes, the cast and crew completed the entire film in twenty days.

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Goofs

When Nicky is at his father's home he is cooking eggs. When he brings the eggs over to the table he has the egg beater and then when the camera angle changes he has a spatula. This goes back and forth a couple of times in this scene.

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Quotes

Paisley Porter: I didn't understand until today how much pain and anxiety you've been causing everybody with your reviews. Steven, it's completely unfair.
Steven Schwimmer: It's unfair?
Paisley Porter: Yes.
Steven Schwimmer: The truth is always unfair.
Paisley Porter: Well, it doesn't have to be.
Steven Schwimmer: Why do you think I live this way? Why do you think I'm, I'm taking electricity from the lamp-post
[he gestures outdoors]
Steven Schwimmer: and hiding out? Why?
Paisley Porter: Because you choose to.
Steven Schwimmer: No. Because people who write the truth are the outcasts of society. I can't live openly. I can't live in a nice door-man ...
[...]

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Connections

Features 1986 World Series (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
(1908)
Lyrics by Jack Norworth
Music by Albert von Tilzer (as Albert Von Tilzer)
Performed by Curtis Stigers
Courtesy of Concord Records

User Reviews

Gem of a film

It is wonderful when a film that may not be the most publicized or promoted proves to be so stellar. Such is the case with this film. The topics of superstition, faith, and hope are not addressed adequately in movies, and by integrating the famous failure of the Boston Red Sox in 1986, this movie is a natural candidate to examine faith and hope. The movie is the story of Nicky Rogan (Michael Keaton in a wonderful quirky performance) whose life is typically complicated. He has a mistress (Bebe Neuwirth in fine form) and his wife (Catherine O'Hara, typically proficient) is dissatisfied with her husband's disinterest in their marriage and he is scared of the poison pen of a scabrous new critic (Robert Downey Jr. typically accomplished as Stephen Schwimmer) who has so haunted a playwright friend that the man (Griffin Dunne, exceptional as Elliott Litvak) has become something of a hermit who looks, for all intents and purposes, like a hobo. Excellent performances really distinguish this film. Keaton is fantastic and chooses his roles (or maybe they're chosen the infrequency of opportunities he has?) so carefully that he is not seen enough. However, his tics and very expressive face add depth and layers to the movie. Dunne is fantastic in portraying an unnerved playwright, and Robert Downey Jr. is typically creative and inspired.

Director Michael Hoffmann elicits fine performances from his performers. He has directed quite competently and somewhat below the radar, directing movies as varied as "Restoration", "Soapdish", and "One Fine Day." He captures Rogan's personal doubts and captures some intangible feelings and ideas very well. Great credit should also go to writer Dom DeLillo who has written a screenplay which considers some very interesting topics.

It is difficult to capture the doubts and insecurities of a playwright in many aspects of his life-personally, professionally, and in the rather murky world of superstitions that often accompany support of sports teams but the combined talents of many have united to make this a very good film.