A League Of Their Own
A League Of Their Own is one of those movies that touches the heart of the viewers. I don't think a male director could have captured the feeling of this in in our history the way Penny Marshall does. A man probably would have paid more attention to the baseball sequences and edited out the character-developing scenes. And that's why the movie works. The characters are colorful and alive, unlike most baseball movies out there.
The movie opens with an old lady travelling back to Illinois for the Hall of Fame awards for the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League (AAGPB). As she arrives, we flashback to World War II (the year 1943). The male baseball players have been drafted and sent to fight. But a greedy candybar company owner (Garry Marshall) wants to keep baseball, and his profits, alive. So he hires talent scouts to go out across America and find girls to play. One talent scout (Jon Lovitz in a hilarious part) stumbles upon Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and Kit Keller (Lori Petty). Dottie can hit and catch, while Kit can pitch on mean fastball.
He also happens upon a tomboyish Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanaugh) who can hit both left and right handed. They arrive at the tryouts and meet other fellow would-be team members, such as Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell. Of course, a coach would be needed and the owner recruits Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), whose alcoholism has ruined his baseball career. There is a very funny sequence when he first arrives at the stadium (how lond DID that take?). At first, he has absolutely no interest in the team, but after they show a sign of talent, he begins to coach the team. And of course, there is the finale between Rockford and Racine with a big, exciting play, with a twist.
I got through the plot quickly because I wanted to write about the best thing about the movie: the performances and witty writing. Tom Hanks gives a nice performance as the coach, but it's Geena Davis who shines. She portrays the character wonderfully and old Dottie is a perfect match (I almost thought it was played by Geena Davis in make-up). As for the supporting actors, Lori Petty is cute and good as Dottie's sister. Madonna actually gives a very good, though "I'm-still-a-flirt" part. Rosie O'Donnell provides some wonderful humor in the not-so-humorous parts. Jon Lovitz, however, steals the show in his small scene with his hilarious one-liners.
As for the writing, it is quick and witty, especially Jon Lovitz's lines. Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel have written a wonderful script with great characters. Of course, the directing must have had something to do with it and Penny Marshall puts a charm in the film that is hard to miss. This is probably on of her best films to date.
A League Of Their Own is rated PG. The movie has some language and violence, but this is a family movie. The comedy is inventive and funny and kids will enjoy it just as much as adults will.