CWL 2008
The Caveman's Reviews
FIELD OF DREAMS (1989)

By Caveman Carl
3.8.08





Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Cast: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Ray Liotta
Rated: PG
Genre: Sports/Drama
Run Time: 1 hr, 47 mins
The Plot
After hearing strange voices in his cornfield, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella plows down his field and builds a baseball diamond. Of course, everyone thinks he's nuts, but soon his gamble begins to pay off.

The Caveman's Take
"Field of Dream" is easily one of the best baseball movies, if not THE best, ever made. I'm not sure, at least not 100% sure, but this may just be my favorite sport's film, period. Yep, it's that good. Baseball fan or not, this flick appeals to any and everyone and offers a little something for whomever will look past the fact that it's "just a baseball movie."

Being the huge baseball fan that I am, this film always gets me fired up about the game of baseball. And, I know, my baseball playin' days are long gone but I still have an intense passion for the game and this movie always fuels, if not revives, that passion. After each viewing I'm ready to bulldoze my house down and build a baseball field in its place for no good reason.

Aside from the baseball aspect, which is indeed the main point of the film, "Field of Dreams" is just a solid all-around film, that delivers on nearly all fronts. Good acting. It's here. Star-studded cast. Here, too. Touching, creative story. Here as well. And all that is on top of a baseball theme. My God, could it get any better? I can almost smell the fresh cut grass and chewin' tobacco right now.

"Field of Dream" is just one of those movies, for me, that brings back great memories of the game I love and always reminds me how perfect that game just is. I have a soft spot for old-time baseball players, the game the way it was once played, and those that love the game such as I do. Hearing stories of Shoeless Joe Jackson, seeing another man's love for the game, and seeing a ball field come alive with baseball greats of the past is something that hits me hard. Not to mention the father/son theme of the film, the near-healing power of the game, and the chances to make some past wrongs right through baseball. This movie goes beyond just the diamond, which makes it that much better of an experience.

I'm manly enough to admit that I shed a tear or two when the words "You wanna have a catch?" came from Kevin Costner's mouth. I can't help it, it always gets me. And there were other times as well, maybe not times in which I broke down and wept like a weenie, but times where I got caught up in the emotion of the film. Whether it was about baseball, past relationships, or life in general, this movie is emotionlly charged and it got me more than once. So what, sue me!

All in all, "Field of Dreams" is right there as one of the best baseball movies ever made. Once I get a chance to go back and watch "The Natural" and a few other diamond classics I'll be able to give a more definitive answer as to what truly is the best baseball movie of all time. For now, though, "Field of Dreams" is one of the best, possibly the best. It wouldn't be right for me to give this flick anything less than a perfect 5 clubs.