Writer/Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Starring: Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta and James Earl Jones
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Hollywood had the charisma of Ray Liotta. Following his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Liotta appeared to be an actor that had a bright future in the industry. Whether it’s menacing gangsters, corrupt police officers or strong baseball players, Liotta portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Liotta’s greatest strength as an actor was always his powerful commitment. He was one of those rare actors that poured his soul into every role. Shining a bright light in darkness, Liotta transformed in a celebrated icon in the entertainment business. However, in 2022 Liotta’s career came toward a devastating closure when he passed away. Liotta’s heartbreaking death was a huge loss for the film industry. It was painful for movie-goers to face the tough fact that an actor that had shined a bright ray of light in the industry had passed away. In the wake of his upsetting death that left the world mourning, Liotta has left behind a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his renowned career, Liotta created countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Liotta and adore all the films that he made in his career. However, “Field of Dreams” may be my favourite. Ever since its release in 1989, Ray Liotta’s movie has stood the test of time as a captivating classic about baseball. Packed with engrossing production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest sports movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an iconic performance by Ray Liotta, who embodies a world-famous baseball player that has charisma. Ultimately, what makes “Field of Dreams” a classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the importance of chasing one’s dreams that will resonate with everyone. Unlike most films about baseball, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate with. A captivating sports classic, there are several reasons why “Field of Dreams” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.
“Field of Dreams” tells a story of a farmer that created a baseball field to celebrate his father. Kevin Costner portrays Ray Kinsella, a farmer dedicated to providing for his family. Ray is a loyal farmer that has always been dedicated to take care of his crop fields that he has always appreciated. However, Ray’s life changes when he begins hearing a voice in his head to build a baseball field. Haunted by the voice that keeps on nudging him to build a field, Ray decides to take action building a baseball field. Seeking a greater sense of direction, Ray creates a field for the sake of baseball which he regards with affection. As he builds the field, Ray is shocked to find deceased baseball players showing up in his life. Led by the celebrated Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta), the baseball team gives Ray a chance to fulfill his father’s huge dream. Facing a dilemma, Ray questions whether he would be able to achieve his dreams of being a farmer in America.
Phil Alden Robinson is a newcomer toward the stories of baseball. Before he directed “Field of Dreams”, Robinson had never directed a movie about baseball before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of farmers which build fields for baseball players but he pulled it off successfully. Using bold cinematography, Robinson captures a farmer that constructs a baseball field to honour his father’s memories. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes which is as breathtaking as baseball fields that farmers organize. Robinson effectively uses montages to capture a farmer seeking to create baseball fields. For instance, the montages elevate the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Ray is haunted by voices in his head telling him to build a baseball team. Through montages, Robinson captures the enduring appeal of a game farmers value. Montages are not easy techniques to use in most movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” claimed, montages elevate classic gangster films. Nevertheless, the technique works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Robinson captures hardships farmers building baseball fields in America are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Field of Dreams” worth praising is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Robinson has always had a flair for designing the production in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “Field of Dreams”. One of the major highlights contributing to success of the film is the diegetic sound. Robinson uses clever diegetic sounds to capture the tensions that farmers building baseball fields are often facing. For instance, diegetic sounds enhance the ease his pain scene. During this haunting scene, Ray is haunted by sounds of a voice in his head that tells him to ease a person’s pain. One acknowledges diegetic sounds capturing hardships which farmers are facing. Through ingenious sound-design, Robinson captures the lives of farmers facing a decline. Moreover, the musical score is amazing. James Horner’s music is integral to the film’s success. It gives the film a warm atmosphere capturing appeal of baseball games. Through bold production-design, Robinson captures legendary baseball players facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Field of Dreams” is a sports classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses narration to capture the tensions faced by farmers. Robinson’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing struggles faced by farmers that built baseball fields by voice-over narration. Throughout the movie, Ray narrates his experience as a farmer that seeks to build a baseball field. For instance, voice-over narration enhances the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ray narrates his experiences as a farmer with a strong connection to his father. One admires narration capturing the lives of farmers that face tension. Through exceptional narration, Robinson captures the lives of commemorated farmers which face tension. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in films. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” demonstrated, narration elevates classic movies about prison. Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” suggested narration elevates commemorated biopics about corrupt stockbrokers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an exceptional screenplay, Robinson captures the lives of baseball players facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Ray Liotta delivers one of his greatest career performances as Shoeless Joe Jackson. Liotta first achieved appreciations for playing cruel gangsters in commemorated crime dramas. With “Field of Dreams”, however, he took upon his most athletic role. It isn’t easy to portray a classic baseball player that’s brought to life from the dead, but Liotta succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charming and emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, nostalgia and larger-than-life personality of a legendary baseball player brought back from the dead. It’s a powerful performance by one of the world’s greatest actors that’s sadly no longer with us today.
Kevin Costner is captivating as a farmer that builds a baseball field to honour memories of his father. Costner is one of those actors that has often had an aptitude for communicating strong emotions through narration, and “Field of Dreams” showcased his finest strengths as an actor. Whether he’s attempting to convince baseball players to come to his field or facing fears hearing voices which prove frightening, Costner effectively uses his powerful voice to create a farmer which is compelling. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent playing strong characters. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
Finally, everyone would appreciate “Field of Dreams” for capturing farmers that seek to accomplish dreams. Unlike most films about baseball, the movie discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes including fatherhood, identity and trauma that will definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required be fans of baseball to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about fatherhood which would strike chords amongst everyone. Therefore, “Field of Dreams” is one of those rare baseball movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Ray Liotta will definitely appreciate “Field of Dreams” and so will movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A fantastic sports classic, it honours a legendary actor that built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking sports film about farmers hearing commanding voices in their heads instructing them to build baseball fields that are inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for his abilities to portray characters that are compelling whose engaging movies I will forever treasure several years after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 