"...John Lee Hancock's heartfelt movie scores a solid hit..."
Rolling Stone "...The movie keeps its eye on the ball....[The filmmakers] touch the heart without being sticky..."
USA Today "...Smoothly directed....Schwartzman's attractive color lensing is splendid....Quaid's effortlessly compelling and engagingly earnest performance keeps the pic grounded in down-to-earth reality..."
Variety "...A sweet, engaging, truth-based celebration of America's favorite pastime....THE ROOKIE will feel like a home run..."
Premiere "...[The filmmakers have] given THE ROOKIE a lovely, relaxed feeling that makes us happy to be in this film's company..."
Los Angeles Times "...[Quaid] brings an appealing humility to his role..."
Sight and Sound "...Unabashedly lyrical and beautifully photographed....Its stately pace and appreciation of the austere grandeur of the Texas landscape and the eerie beauty of night baseball contribute to its aura of modern American folk tale..."
New York Times "...This gently played story of an ordinary second chance is actually quite a treat..."
Total Film