Film Review: IT AIN’T OVER (2022): Yogi Berra Documentary Should Have New York Yankees Fans Cheering in the Aisles

It Ain’t Over Review

It Ain’t Over (2022) Film Review, a movie written and directed by Sean Mullin and starring Yogi Berra, Derek Jeter, Willie Randolph, Bob Costas, Billy Crystal, Lindsay Berra, Dale Berra, Joe Torre and Carmen Berra.

Sean Mullin has crafted a truly exceptional documentary with the Yogi Berra story, It Ain’t Over. Yogi Berra wasn’t the best looking man, but he managed to truly stand out from the players he associated with on The New York Yankees thanks to his winning personality and exceptional playing abilities. A catcher and hitter who had a big influence in baseball history is given a remarkable tribute in this film which Mullin has made so well that one can’t help but be intrigued by it right from the word, “go.”

When Yogi Berra considered Jackie Robinson “out” during a key game in baseball history, it was clear that Robinson was, indeed, safe at home-plate. However, Berra was not a man who was easily let down but the call by the umpire on Robinson sort of got him angrier than he ever seemed to be otherwise. He was a passionate man. A family man who had several children with the love of his life, Carmen, Yogi was a truly brilliant athlete and a loving husband. His granddaughter, Lindsay, appears on screen to pay tribute to Yogi throughout the movie. Lindsay had a big part in Yogi being honored by Barack Obama and getting the respect he so rightfully deserved.

This film opens in 2015 and goes back in time as it progresses. At the start, Willie Mays, Johnny Bench and a couple of other baseball players are being honored thanks to the votes they received that deem them the greatest baseball players of all-time. Lindsay asked Yogi if he was still alive as this was happening, and Yogi admitted he was. Because of his human characteristics that made him seem lighthearted and easy-going, some people didn’t realize that Berra did something exceptional during his brilliant career as both a coach and a ball player. He hit home runs in his first major baseball games and proved to be a force to contend with throughout his distinguished career but because he was an average man, people seemed to forget how much of a talented athlete he was.

There are several people speaking about Yogi through this film. Derek Jeter and Joe Torre stand out as two of the people who shed significant light on the talents Yogi possessed not only as a ball player and a coach but as a friend. The great Willie Randolph is also here with a splendid appearance that also proves how Yogi Berra did pave the way for the talents that followed in The New York Yankees history. One of Yogi Berra’s sons got involved with drugs and that disappointed Yogi but the picture focuses mostly on the positive things in Yogi’s life, particularly his love for his wife Carmen to whom he wrote sweet and sincere love letters.

Yogi Bear, the cartoon character, seemed to steal Yogi Berra’s first name but Yogi Berra never trademarked his name so there was little he could do from a legal standpoint. Mullin’s movie brings a lot of things into the mix such as that interesting fact. Berra was ready to serve his country when he was young even though he already had a baseball contract signed. His family made sure that all the positive things Yogi did were highlighted accordingly.

What would It Ain’t Over be without comparisons of Yogi’s signature pieces of wisdom being contrasted to those of famous philosophers? A bit less fun because those segments are absolutely hysterical. The title comes from one of Yogi Berra’s famous sayings in life. The film lovingly pays respect to the quote referred to in the film’s title during the end credits so stay put as the credits roll.

It Ain’t Over is never boring, always fascinating and truly moving. This is the type of documentary fans of the Bronx bombers could watch over and over again but the real surprise is that even if you care little about baseball, it’s easy to be intrigued by the way Yogi Berra managed to get all his championship rings and still maintain a positive sense of being and happiness within his life. He lived an inspirational life.

In the end, when you get to see a documentary as well made as this one with stars like Billy Crystal and plenty of baseball legends on screen, you revel in the opportunity to watch it. It Ain’t Over is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser that will remind viewers what it’s like to cherish the love for America’s great past time and a man who made it so terrific to watch. This film is a truly winning picture that should be seen.

Rating: 9/10

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