Everything about this movie is executed perfectly. The comedy is funny and isn't forced. The drama is real but not heavy. It's about two serious subjects but the message is in the subtext and doesn't hit you over the head.
The casting is spectacular. Davis plays the girl where everything comes naturally to her so perfectly. And she also has that distraction behind her eyes until her husband comes home. Not only does she act this perfectly but she also physically has the look. Her tall appearance is regal by nature. And in good contrast to her little sister. Lori Petty embodies the little sister. I don't know what it is but she does it perfectly. She looks so desperate and competitive with everything that happens. She's never relaxed and always has a chip on her shoulder. If you have siblings their relationship feels real. And not Hollywood real. They subtly convey the love/hate relationship. I guess it's more resentment than hate. But as you probably know, it's complicated.
Everyone else is great. Rosie and Madonna are two great supporting characters. As they all are. Of course Hanks is great. I think my favorite part of his is when he's trying to be nice to Bitty Schram after she botches a play. He looks like he's about to explode. And I like that his character never really has a "come to Jesus moment." He just slowly warms up to the girls and his job.
Even the casting of the old ladies was great. This way you could avoid all of the aged make up that didn't look so good in those days. And save the time and money. And give some older actors some work. I really had to question if I was looking at Geena Davis at the start. Using her voice was a great idea. It really bridged the gap. And when you saw all of them you knew exactly who it was. I don't know why but who was alive and wasn't made so much sense but it did.
Penny Marshall does an amazing job. Of course because it's good and her movie. But even more than that. The small things. Like when Dotty shows up at the very end its kind of a surprise. It's not overly set up that way. No one says her name or anything. But it goes on for so long that you question where she is. And then when she shows up you are glad she's there. Then at the last game they're all banged up. Not only because they're not wearing much but because it's the last game. She also shoots nice and wide. This is great because you get to see those grand baseball fields and all of the players are always present. Davis dropping the ball at the climax is ambiguous. But if you were paying attention you know that Davis didn't drop it in the dugout or the last play at the plate.
I really liked the scene when they get the mail from the army. Not only do you see how far Hanks has come but also you are quickly reminded that this was the reality for all of these girls. Because when that letter comes they all think it could be for them. Then they're all relieved it's not but sad for their friend. Must have been rough.
I grew up watching this movie. I had it on VHS next to a handful of other movies. So on boring summer days this was in the regular rotation. And it was one of the few movies my mom would watch with me. It was great to watch as a grown up and not only understand the historical context but also the film making side. I don't call many movies perfect but this is one of them. Does everything it sets out to do. Nothing feels forced. Nothing misses. The mood is always right. And "There's no crying in baseball," is one of those lines that never gets old.
The casting is spectacular. Davis plays the girl where everything comes naturally to her so perfectly. And she also has that distraction behind her eyes until her husband comes home. Not only does she act this perfectly but she also physically has the look. Her tall appearance is regal by nature. And in good contrast to her little sister. Lori Petty embodies the little sister. I don't know what it is but she does it perfectly. She looks so desperate and competitive with everything that happens. She's never relaxed and always has a chip on her shoulder. If you have siblings their relationship feels real. And not Hollywood real. They subtly convey the love/hate relationship. I guess it's more resentment than hate. But as you probably know, it's complicated.
Everyone else is great. Rosie and Madonna are two great supporting characters. As they all are. Of course Hanks is great. I think my favorite part of his is when he's trying to be nice to Bitty Schram after she botches a play. He looks like he's about to explode. And I like that his character never really has a "come to Jesus moment." He just slowly warms up to the girls and his job.
Even the casting of the old ladies was great. This way you could avoid all of the aged make up that didn't look so good in those days. And save the time and money. And give some older actors some work. I really had to question if I was looking at Geena Davis at the start. Using her voice was a great idea. It really bridged the gap. And when you saw all of them you knew exactly who it was. I don't know why but who was alive and wasn't made so much sense but it did.
Penny Marshall does an amazing job. Of course because it's good and her movie. But even more than that. The small things. Like when Dotty shows up at the very end its kind of a surprise. It's not overly set up that way. No one says her name or anything. But it goes on for so long that you question where she is. And then when she shows up you are glad she's there. Then at the last game they're all banged up. Not only because they're not wearing much but because it's the last game. She also shoots nice and wide. This is great because you get to see those grand baseball fields and all of the players are always present. Davis dropping the ball at the climax is ambiguous. But if you were paying attention you know that Davis didn't drop it in the dugout or the last play at the plate.
I really liked the scene when they get the mail from the army. Not only do you see how far Hanks has come but also you are quickly reminded that this was the reality for all of these girls. Because when that letter comes they all think it could be for them. Then they're all relieved it's not but sad for their friend. Must have been rough.
I grew up watching this movie. I had it on VHS next to a handful of other movies. So on boring summer days this was in the regular rotation. And it was one of the few movies my mom would watch with me. It was great to watch as a grown up and not only understand the historical context but also the film making side. I don't call many movies perfect but this is one of them. Does everything it sets out to do. Nothing feels forced. Nothing misses. The mood is always right. And "There's no crying in baseball," is one of those lines that never gets old.