Batter up. We are headed into cinematic nostalgic bliss. Eephus is a film so profoundly moving, so exquisitely crafted, and so utterly moving that it hasn’t just raised the bar for independent cinema, it has sent it out of the damn ballpark. To call it a masterpiece feels almost reductive, and I say almost, because as a blind film critic, this film does not have audio description. I think that is probably why when I was originally offered an opportunity to screen the film, and I followed it up with a “I’d love to, and if audio description is available, I’d prefer that if possible” type response, which got another reply looking for a bit more information from me supposedly just to figure out the best method of my screening the film. I don’t know why they ghosted me. These films always come to VOD and streaming, and being ghosted just makes me even more curious. what was this grand secret you felt needed to be kept? did you feel like because I’m blind, I would just tank the movie and its perfect 100% Rotten Tomato grade? I’m flattered, and while I hope to one day represent the blind community on the Tomatometer, I have a feeling it will take some time before a niche critic like myself is put in a position to tank a perfect score. Also, I did like the movie.
That’s the thing, is that while the lack of accessibility does create understandable gaps due to my visual impairment, I have also seen a metric ton of celluloid, so I’m not so quick to write off a film. My job is to present my honest views on a film, and let my audience make up their mind about whether or not to follow my guidance.Taking a well made film that lacks accessibility and ripping it just on that one metric alone ignores all the work everyone else did on the film that had no control over whether or not this film had audio description.
Eephus is a gentle whisper of truth that lingers in your soul. It is shot in a specific location, but almost in a way that suggests that Anytown, USA feel. the film centers around the citizens of a small town on the final night of their local baseball field playing one last great game, because the city has decided to use that land to develop a new middle school. it is a smart move, because if it were anything else, the fight wouldn’t be on the field, it would be in rooms in front of board members trying to convince them that they don’t need another Payday Loan place, or whatever takes over sacred land nowadays. The film has achieved something special on its own, it finds the beauty in the mundane, and the town isn’t just a backdrop, it feels like a character as the citizens are representational and we experience players on the field of a wide range of age and talent, as well as supporters just there to watch. It uses its time to great effect, and the lesser known talent peppered throughout the film brings the authenticity that you are indeed watching something truly special.
While I can’t boldly recommend Eephus across the board, because I do have blind a low vision readers, and the lack of audio description creates frustrating gaps in ability to convey anything from a simple play on the field, to what the titular pitch itself looks like when finally achieved. It’s a curveball slower than usual, but packing the same heat. Also, we never really know what anyone looks like, which is a disadvantage in a broad ensemble with no clear lead. But a terrific sound design almost makes it feel like a day at the park, with the usual conversations, the cracking of a wooden bat, and the sounds of a game well played.
While I would not give the film a firm grade due to the lack of audio description, acknowledging it could change how I feel about the movie, it is safely in a position where I would recommend it to sighted readers, and those blind baseball junkies who just crave anything related to the sport, accessibility be damned. But, there’s enough missing to keep that final grade off the table.
Fresh: No Grade Due to Lack Of Audio description, Audio Description: None
