Today’s quick review: A League of Their Own. In 1943, Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and her sister Kit (Lori Betty) leave their home in Oregon to join a women’s baseball league created to fill the void caused by World War II. The sisters join Mae (Madonna), Doris (Rosie O’Donnell), and a dozen others as the inaugural roster of the Rockford Peaches, and under the questionable leadership of Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), the team aims for the World Series.
A League of Their Own is a historical sports comedy about the first league for professional women’s baseball in America. Geena Davis stars as Dottie, a talented catcher who leads the Peaches and gives the league the flair it needs to become a success. A League of Their Own offers a glimpse of a unique moment in history while telling a tale of enduring friendship. The movie’s vivacious characters and unique subject matter make it a pleasant watch.
A League of Their Own has a knack for character interactions. The Peaches have a wide variety of personalities, and seeing them chat, bicker, and become friends over the course of the season is one of the joys of the movie. A League of Their Own also does a great job of capturing the sibling rivalry between Dottie, the popular older sister, and Kit, the jealous and impulsive younger one. Their story helps anchor the movie but never skews too dramatic.
A League of Their Own also provides a fascinating snapshot of history. The movie takes pains to recreate the sights, sounds, and social dynamics of the 1940s. While it takes a few liberties in the name of comedy, it does an admirable job of telling a story that’s specific to a period in time. The last piece of the puzzle is the film’s humor, which scores some hits with the team’s antics off the field and an outrageous performance from Tom Hanks.
However, there is one thing the movie is missing: a strong sports story. The Peaches work hard to win games, attract fans, and keep the sport alive, but their record within the league is never really the focus. A League of Their Own cares more about its characters than it does baseball, a decision that works well for it but differs from other sports movies. Fans expecting a triumphant underdog story will find the movie rewarding in different ways.
A League of Their Own is a good choice if you’re in the mood for a sports comedy that emphasizes its characters. Its light tone and fun interactions are the foundation for an enjoyable watch, while its historical setting gives it something more than humor to fall back on. A League of Their Own does not have the raw emotional power of other sports movies or the raucous appeal of goofier comedies, but its honest quality makes it a fine pick regardless.
For an even more inspiring baseball story, try The Natural. For a more ridiculous baseball comedy, try Major League.
7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for likable characters and light humor, with the potential to be something more for the right viewer.