A League of Their Own
reviewed by Brian "The Naked Gun" Felts &
Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
The movie takes place in the 1940's and discusses the creation of the All-American Woman's Baseball
League which supplemented the men's baseball league during the war. Again, it's not a baseball movie,
but more of a political commentary on how these women were given an opportunity to play a sport which
was "men only." I say this, because there are many times during the movie when the script talks about
how important women were during the war. There also was the obligatory comment of the situation
of black people in America during that time, with their separate but equal situation. There are also
lots of relationship issues which happen between sisters, but that's something I can't relate to.
The best two reasons to watch this movie are Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz. Tom Hanks (The Terminal) plays
Jimmy Dugan, manager of the Racine Peaches. His timing is effortless and plays the role of a has-been
baseball player, full of regret, beautifully. If it wasn't for him, the movie is not watchable and should
be burned in effigy of Bill Clinton.
The other reason to watch this movie is Jon Lovitz (The Stepford
Wives), who plays the role of baseball scout Ernie Capadino. He scouts the two main characters Dottie and
Kit. His sarcasm and wit are biting, and it's a part which seemed to be written for him. This made it so
enjoyable. Also worth mentioning is the script. While I hated the political commentary of the movie,
the humor written for Hanks character, as well as Lovitz, was flat out hilarious. So, I do give kudos
for writers Lowell Ganz (Robots) and Babaloo Mandell (Robots) for the humor of the movie, not
the politics.
Notice how I have not mentioned the "real" stars of the movie, the women of the baseball team of which
the story was about, with the exception of Geena Davis (Stuart Little 2) who plays Dottie and Lori Petty
(Tank Girl) who plays her younger sister Kit. These two do a good job tackling the sister-sister relationship.
Other than these two, the parts could have been played by anybody, and for the most part they were, except for
two actresses who were cast for only one reason, name recognition. They were Rosie O'Donnel and Madonna. I thought
Madonna was a pointless character, written in the show as a cheap fifty-cent hooker, which her character
basically pointed out. The only reason she got the job was, she was friends with director
Penny Marshall. Speaking of her, Marshall (Riding in Cars with Toys) made the decision to make this movie
more politically driven than character driven, which I feel is a poor choice. This movie could have been
a great character movie and would have been much more enjoyable.
That's that. If it wasn't for Hanks, this movie isn't worth that fifty cent hooker I was talking
about earlier. Watch this for Hanks' acting ability, ignore the rest.
Brian - the Naked Gun
I think Brian made some very accurate points about director Penny Marshall overstating the picture's political commentary.
He is also correct in stating this is not a baseball movie, but a story about one sister always standing in the shadows
of her older sister. He is also correct in saying Madonna and Rosie O'Donnel were included to add familiar faces. Lastly,
Brian is also correct in stating Hanks and Lovitz are the brightest names in the picture's cast. However, that's
all I can agree with what Brian has stated.
As far as I'm concerned, there was no weak link in the cast of "A League of Their Own." Gina Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna and
O'Donnel were cast perfectly. Yes, anyone could've played Madonna and O'Donnel's roles, but they DO NOT ruin the picture
with their presence. I DID get annoyed, however, Madonna's role was only created to add the element of
sex to a picture set in the
1940s. I even have a suspicion her part wasn't included in the original script, but added later from demand of the director,
another point Brian brought up.
Babaloo Mandell and Lowell Ganz have co-authored some of my favorite comedies of the 1990s, like "City Slickers,"
"Heart and Souls," "Parenthood" and "EdTV." Their sister-sister story drives the picture, but also use an ensemble of montages
to create a semi "docu-drama" feel, showing what these women and league administration did to keep
professional baseball alive in the U.S. during WWII.
Director Marshall also did a marvelous job keeping the relationship between Dottie and Kit the focus of the picture,
while slipping in her political statements. I can agree with Brian the political agenda of the picture is almost at
every corner of the story. However, I do not care. Also my opinion with movies like "Runaway Jury," which carries
heavily one sided political commentary, I do not care. Why? At least these filmmakers are using the medium to
say something about what they believe. "A League of Their Own" presented nothing politically I care to disagree with,
like the pros of selling orphans over the Internet. With this work, Marshall is simply saying, look at the bad rap and
obstacles these women faced, which would not be the case if they were men. Fine. I can accept that. It doesn't hurt anyone.
Plus, the movie wrapped around her agenda is pretty flipping hilarious and heart warming.
I'm not going to say any more about Hanks or Lovitz, cause Brian pretty much said it. Both are simply a riot. Hanks, I feel,
is the only reason this picture is watchable and enjoyable by men and women.
"A League of Their Own" is one of the best laughable light-hearted dramas ever to come out of its decade. If you haven't seen it,
I think you'll actually enjoy it.
Benn - Where's the Humanity?
There are two reasons which make this movie very watchable. Unfortunately, there are so many reasons not
to watch this movie, I go through different emotions every time I watch it. I go from laughter
to utter contempt in about five seconds. So, I do recommend watching this movie but keep in mind, it
really is not a baseball movie. It's more of a touchy, feely, 1990's politically correct crappy movie.