There is a saying amongst those who like sports movies — there are baseball movies, and then there is the baseball movie. To me, that means there is A League of Their Own and then the imposters. However, the rest of the world is not like me, and to them it means that there is Field of Dreams (FOD) and the imposters. The movie is so loved that it placed sixth on AFI's list of Top-Ten Fantasy films of all time. Alas, wars are fought over smaller divisions.
For those of you who have never seen FOD (I hadn’t until starting this review, so you are not alone), the movie is one of baseball, mystery, and a whole bunch of ghosts. Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is a former pot-smoking hippie turned farmer in the Iowa countryside. One day, while walking through his field of corn, he hears a voice telling him that “if you build it, they will come.” Though it is clear to the viewer that Ray is going crazy (or, as his wife indicates, having an acid flashback), the movie takes about five minutes to actually have Ray think that himself. I don’t know about you, but if I was hearing voices while walking through my corn I would run, not ask them questions.
After seeing a vision of a baseball diamond in his field (even more evidence that he is insane), Ray plows down his crop, to the amusement and wonderment of his neighbors, and promptly builds one. This sets up a financial crisis, but also allows for ghosts of players past to show up and play some ball. Ray gets to play with some of the greats, and even gets to play with somebody he swore he would never forgive.
FOD is an interesting movie, but one that is extremely overrated. While the history is quite interesting and well done (quotes are accurate, Moonlight was a real player, etc.), the overall feel of the movie is horrific. I do not understand why people like this movie at all. A man goes insane, destroys his family’s livelihood, and then plays baseball with ghosts. Seriously folks, where is the plot in this?
Frankly, I really do not believe that FOD deserves any sort of acclaim or top ten status, but i do realize that it is loved by most people. That said, however, I do not understand the love which is heaped upon it. The plot had holes — random character changes in Terence Mann wanting to join Ray after hating him and Ray's cousin suddenly being able to see; the storyline was illogical - a bunch of ghosts don't show up, force you to plow your money-maker, and then play ball — and the entire point of the movie is lost on most people. From various reviews I have seen, along with discussions with friends who love the movie, it seems as though most people see FOD as a movie about baseball. It isn’t. This is a movie about forgiveness, not baseball, and the ability to give people a second chance. That is the entire point of the movie, yet it is hidden by layers of bad dialog and personal tales. The only redeeming thing about FOD is the acting and the imagery.
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