American Pastime 2007

The film opens with a poignant depiction of the Nomura family, a quintessential American family of Japanese heritage living in 1941. This family consists of Japanese-born parents and their two American-born sons, Lane and Lyle. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they are compelled to vacate their Los Angeles home due to the infamous Executive Order 9066, enacted by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This decree permitted the forced removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast, and the film showcases real historical footage illustrating the harrowing roundup of families, many of whom, like the Nomura siblings, were American citizens by birth.

The Nomuras find themselves relocated to a desolate and dusty desert camp, vividly portrayed with actual footage from the Topaz War Relocation Center, expertly captured by Dave Tatsuno using a secretly smuggled camera. The patriarch of the Nomura family, once a celebrated professional baseball player, quickly organizes an in-camp baseball league. Among the guards is Billy Burrell, played by Gary Cole, a minor-league baseball player who harbors resentment after being overlooked by a New York Yankees scout. With many top players off serving in the war, Burrell sees this as a potential opportunity.

Meanwhile, Lane Nomura, the eldest son, makes the selfless decision to enlist in the army, joining the esteemed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, famously known as the “Purple Heart Battalion.” One guard, who initially disapproves of Japanese Americans joining the military, undergoes a transformation upon learning about the brave men from Topaz who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, rescuing a Texas battalion.

The younger son, Lyle, becomes increasingly rebellious and infuriated by the injustices of internment. However, his anger begins to shift towards a desire to prove himself when the Topaz team faces off against Burrell and a local minor league team, where some members openly display their bigotry and disdain for the internees. This highlights not only the struggles of the Nomura family but also the resilience of Japanese Americans who fought for their dignity and rights amidst adversity.