A League of Their Own - A Movie Review

There is no crying allowed in baseball!

Based on true events, A League of Their Own was released to theaters in 1992. The first-ever women’s professional baseball league is created. Coming across struggles and stereotypical insults, the team has to work together to succeed.

A League of Their Own demonstrates an essential message that all genders are allowed to be a part of sports. This true story is an entertaining depiction detailing that we can make our lives what we want them to be. Don’t ever let your gender stop you from your dreams.

I have never seen Tom Hanks in a role like this. Jimmy Dugan does not care about what he says, where he spits his tobacco and has no integrity for how he acts in front of the women. Hanks needs to do more comedy. As much as I love his dramatic roles, he needs to showcase more of his comedic side along with characters of contrasting natures.

This was a role that further tested what Hanks is capable of. Playing the part as the real coach of the girl’s baseball team, he instructs the women to be better - even if that requires shouting in their faces until they cry. His emotional journey is genuine, finding a better purpose.

Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell were terrific. Their interactions were the best. Davis was especially memorable in her performance as Dottie Collins who played in the real All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She learns about her abilities, expanding the way she thinks about herself.

Like sports, the cast worked together to bring a story of history to the world. A strong ensemble of women fills in as the members of the league. Each has a different background. Because options were limited in the 40s, being on a baseball team helped the women gain a new perspective.

A League of Their Own was not an easy film to make. Remember that bruise you saw? The bruises and injuries you see are real based on the hard work from the cast. One bruise took over a year to heal! For the film, actors needed to know how to play baseball to be a part of this film. And had to work through temperatures as hot as 110 degrees.

A League of Their Own chose to be authentic. To make it more authentic, actors did not use stunt doubles. One of the best parts about acting is that we can challenge ourselves. Life is all about trying new things.

I was very impressed with the baseball sequences. I used to play softball when I was younger so A League of Their Own brought those memories back. Sports are important. They bring people together. The film is well-edited to convey an actual baseball game.

Penny Marshall’s strong direction is incredibly noteworthy. Marshall focused highly on the real women who played the sport to give them the recognition they deserved. She also made careful decisions that we right for the film’s direction. The cast had fun working together. During breaks in filming some of the cast members would entertain the audience of spectators.

Gender does not have to be by the book or based on societal norms. Over the years, gender has gone through several changes, whether positive or negative. Be happy with who you are. Make the decisions that are right for you.

The movie is enjoyable to watch. Don’t let the subject matter regarding sports stop you from seeing this film. You never know what you will learn. Find A League of Their Own and give it a watch.