167 - Field of Dreams (1989)

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DVD Box
A man feels compelled to build a baseball pitch in the hope that 'they will come'.

Despite having many dreams when he grows up, Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) finds that they all disappear when he and his wife (Amy Madigan) buy an Iowa farm and have a daughter (Gaby Hoffmann).

As he starts to hear voices in his field he interrupts farming and builds a baseball diamond on his prime land, much to the dismay of his neighbours. Once his hero Shoeless Joe (Ray Liotta) arrives though, he realises there is more to his new diamond than meets the eye.

Theatrical Poster
Source: Wikipedia
Really, its difficult to know where to categorise Field of Dreams as it heavily features fantasy despite its obvious dramatic qualities. What Field of Dreams revels in though, it its ability to make you reassess your current relationships with people - before its too late.

In order to accomplish this goal it boxes itself in an American façade, surrounded by tales of baseball heroes from an era gone by and combining it with a heart wrenching story about a man who regrets losing his father before he had a chance to pour out his innermost feelings.

If an American attempted to explain the American Dream to a Brit, the dry humour would take over and explain that we already live in a democratic society with access to jobs and a minimum wage already - as does most of the developed world. Similarly with Field of Dreams, a Briton might be tempted to ask why rounders baseball is being used to promote a story of a father/son relationship. There is more than a hint of cliché.

The story gets lost halfway though as Costner disappears, leaving behind his financially insecure family. Sure, its interesting for him to visit various other characters who have their own problems but the irresponsibility is unbelievable at best - even if he is just a man following a schizophrenic dream.

If you're someone who believe you should follow your dreams no matter what, then this is for you. Otherwise, you will not get it.

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Comments

  1. CK15 May, 2012 10:50

    Surely it's not a schizophrenic dream - it's a fantasy film. More of an attack on American culture rather than focusing on the film, sure it is a bit cliche but it's an enjoyable watch for a couple of hours. Not your best review.

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  2. Tony Laplume15 May, 2012 19:11

    Where it coalesces is around Costner's relationship with James Earl Jones, the reclusive author who calls bullshit until he, too, is sucked into it, and that's the difference between a story that works and one that doesn't.

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