Viewed in
2006
Premise
A farmer builds a baseball field, and baseball greats from the past come to play ball.
Who should watch
Sports fans. Fans of good film.
Thoughts
Great movie. Even though I am not a baseball fan, I still found every moment magical. The film was full of memorable quotes and speeches.
If you have ever been forced to part with your passion, you will instantly sympathize with Shoeless Joe. I liked how the wife was supportive, not cliched and skeptical. The cast was cool, and I got a hoot seeing Brett from 'Pulp Fiction' in here.
While you're enjoying the baseball-ness of the film, it sneaks in the themes of estranged family and forgiveness near the end. This unexpected turn packs an emotional punch.
There is a night scene where you see a line of cars for miles. Since this was made in 1989, they had no computer graphics to create the scene cheapily. It meant there were that many cars on that road.
Lastly, it is funny/scary that I can recognize a composer within two measures. Ethereal wind instruments are always a dead giveaway for James Horner.
What I would change
Nothing.
