I’ve seen my fair share of baseball movies throughout the years, some leaving me cheering in the stands with goosebumps, while others left me scratching my head and feeling disappointed. Among these, there are a few that truly stand out – some for the right reasons, and others for the very wrong ones.
During summer, the sun shines brightly and the temperature is pleasant – making it an ideal season to head to the baseball field and swing the bat against the old leather ball. Alternatively, you could escape the heat and insects by staying indoors and enjoying some top-notch fictional baseball games instead. However, with numerous excellent, even underappreciated movies about America’s beloved pastime, it can be quite a challenge to choose the perfect film to spend your afternoon watching with delight.
In the world of baseball films, not every production will be a home run. For each masterpiece like “Bull Durham” and “Angels in the Outfield,” there are disappointing flops such as “Little Big League” and any poorly received “Sandlot” sequel. In this article, we’ve highlighted two successful major league films and three less-than-impressive ones. Regardless of whether you prefer a lighthearted, absurd comedy or an uplifting soul-brightener, these selections are sure to entertain. Which movies deliver a grand slam and which disappoint?
A League of their Own (1992)
Penny Marshall’s “A League of Their Own” offers numerous appealing aspects, such as meticulous attention to detail, a complex dynamic between sisters and their coach, an enjoyable carefree spirit, and an unwavering passion for baseball. The film centers around Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis), a strong-willed, talented catcher with an impressive pitching arm and deep love for the game. Born on a dairy farm, she transforms from an unknown into the cherished star of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Amidst the backdrop of World War II, the women of the AAGPBL keep morale high by keeping baseball alive in America.
Dottie harbors a fierce rivalry with her younger sister Kit Keller (Lori Petty). Their competition reaches new heights in “A League of Their Own,” leading them to face off against each other’s teams, the Rockford Peaches and Racine Belles, during the World Series. The climax sees Dottie and Kit going head-to-head with their skills, courage, and audacity on the line. Additionally, the film features an exasperating Tom Hanks as the washed-up major league coach Jimmy “Avoid the Clap” Dugan, and Rosie O’Donnell and Madonna portraying the quirky duo Doris and Mae.
Marshall skillfully leads the movie production with enthusiasm, energy, and an evident love for baseball. The female players on every team predominantly handled their own games, earning battle scars (some captured on film) as proof. In terms of character development, baseball narrative, or a preservation of a past wartime experience seldom told, “A League of their Own” stands out as the best.
The Natural (1984)
In today’s world, “The Natural” might be viewed as overly sentimental, but this classic film doesn’t shy away from openly displaying its emotions. Throughout the movie, Roy Hobbs, portrayed by Robert Redford, faces numerous challenges that test his abilities and determination. He endures a failed assassination attempt, experiences the loss of his father at a young age, suffers through medical setbacks, scandals, and a lengthy 16-year hiatus that leaves every coach doubting his potential to excel in the major leagues. However, when Hobbs ultimately hits a home run out of the park, leading his team to win the pennant and proving the skeptics wrong, it’s impossible not to stand up and cheer for this inspiring underdog story.
With the reappearance of Iris Gaines (Glenn Close), Roy’s past love, he finds himself able to tap back into his old talents. Their shared history, which Roy had previously dismissed, now becomes impossible to forget. In order to uphold the image of the man he has always presented himself as – the best there ever was – for the sake of his family, Roy must now demonstrate his abilities in a meaningful way.
Does it come across as overused and predictable? Absolutely. Yet, it manages to be powerfully moving and hard-to-put-down at the same time. “The Natural” leaves an indelible mark, and there’s a solid explanation why. However, not every baseball film achieves such distinction for commendable reasons.
Ed (1996)
As a film critic with a deep love for quirky and unique movies, I’ve seen my fair share of unexpected gems that have left me in awe. But none quite compare to the tale of the baseball-playing monkey movie that came along and turned Matt LeBlanc’s life upside down.
LeBlanc portrays Jack “Deuce” Cooper, a pitching prodigy recruited by the Santa Rosa Rockets. With his abundant skills, Jack could potentially save the team from languishing at the bottom of the league. During his trial period, he encounters Ed, a chimp who is both a team member and his shared living quarters companion, on and off the field. As Jack develops feelings for Lydia (Jayne Brook), their new neighbor, Ed befriends Liz. The camaraderie enhances everyone’s performance, creating harmony – until the team’s proprietors attempt to sell Ed to unscrupulous buyers.
The film “Ed” was heavily criticized by critics and received numerous Razzie nominations. It also failed to attract audiences commercially, earning a paltry $4 million in revenue. However, it managed to avoid any Razzie Awards only due to the presence of two other major box office flops, “The Postman” and “Striptease,” that year.
The Babe Ruth Story (1948)
The film “The Babe Ruth Story” goes beyond simply honoring Babe Ruth’s legacy and instead creates an exaggerated image of his past, leading one to imagine Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny appearing to extol his virtues. Despite the fact that Ruth’s real life was marked by controversies, such as rough behavior and numerous infidelities, the movie chooses to portray him as a revered figure, disregarding these aspects of his history.
In this portrayal of Ruth, acted superbly by the comedian William Bendix, we encounter a man who puts aside important matters such as a thrilling baseball game to save an injured canine and take it to the vet. He’s the type of fellow who orders milk at the bar instead of the usual beer or whiskey. This extraordinary character also brings about miraculous recoveries in at least two children just by being near them. And let’s not forget, he excels at baseball as well! The film audaciously proposes a hopeful outcome for his cancer diagnosis, leaving us with the optimistic expectation that he survives until the end of the story.
The film “The Babe Ruth Story” effectively eliminates any mention or trace of Helen Woodford, Babe’s first wife, and their children from its narrative. Due to numerous faults among other reasons, this biopic is infamously known as one of the worst ever produced.
The Scout (1994)
Brendan Fraser and Albert Brooks are undeniably two of the most appealing leading men globally and America’s foremost comedic talents, respectively. Surprisingly, they both agreed to be part of “The Scout,” a film that showcases a baseball player with a troubled past, which is portrayed in an insensitive manner for laughs rather than eliciting genuine emotion.
Brooks portrays Al Percolo, a frenzied scout for the New York Yankees in search of a promising rookie to revive their season and salvage his own career. Fortune favors him when he encounters Steve Nebraska (Fraser), an exceptional young American baseball talent hidden in Mexico. Steve exudes a kind disposition, but his harrowing childhood experiences have left deep scars – fueling both his extraordinary athletic abilities on the field and his volatile conduct away from it. His temper is intertwined with crushing sadness, yet hope remains that support from Al and Dr. H. Aaron (Dianne Wiest) could help Steve conquer his turmoil in time for Game 1 of the World Series.
The film “The Scout” is a confusing blend of genres, attempting to be both a serious psychological drama and a lighthearted comedy. This stark contrast in styles and themes ultimately resulted in its failure at the box office and among critics. It serves as a disappointing showcase for the talents of Brooks, Fraser, and Wiest, who deserved more deserving projects.
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2024-07-17 17:00