Part 1-Reflections and Interpretations
-Summary – Field of Dreams follows the story of a middle-aged family man, Ray Kinsella, who builds a baseball field, after hearing voices that tell him to do so (inciting incident). Though he has the support of his wife and young daughter, most of the community thinks he’s crazy. Hilarity and drama ensue as deceased historical figures – some fictional, some real – as well as people for Ray’s personal past, come to visit this field. The only problem is – Ray and his family are the only ones who can see them. Throughout the movie, Ray learns lessons about embracing opportunities and mending broken relationships.
-Story Question – What is the ultimate goal of this baseball field that Ray has been told to build?
-Genre – This movie is a drama-comedy-supernatural combo. There are some heavy thematic elements, such as Ray’s rocky relationship with his late father. Ray, as well as many of the supporting characters, struggles with regret. But, the comedic timing is perfect. Just when it seems that a scene is too sad or too serious, one of the characters comes in with a sarcastic or funny remark. There are also supernatural aspects, such as Ray’s interaction with “ghosts” and time travel.
-Deeper Meaning – This movie does have a deeper meaning; it just took me a while to pinpoint what it is. I think that it has to do with sticking to your instincts, even when everyone around you is telling you that you’re crazy. Embrace all of your opportunities, but also realize that it’s never too late for a second chance. There is also a definite entertainment component, with the comedy. Although the movie is thought-provoking, it’s also fun to watch.
-Award Caliber – I think that this film is award worthy, due to its intriguing story. Many different aspects are interwoven perfectly. There are sports, time travel, history, drama, comedy. It might seem like an odd combination, but it culminates in a great story with an awesome resolution.
-Character Impact – Ray is kind of thrust into this fish-out-of-water scenario. He knows nothing about farming, yet his wife convinces him to buy a farm. After he hears voices, he decides to build this baseball field, even though he realizes that it will most likely cause him to lose money. Once he has built this field, he is visited by and interacts with some of his deceased childhood heroes, like Shoeless Joe Jackson. His reactions are priceless – a middle-aged man acting like a kid in a candy store. As I think about his situation, I wonder, how would I react if I came face-to-face with my inspiration (especially if that person were dead)?
-Literary Hero – I would say that Ray falls under the category of modern hero. He’s your average guy - just an accidental farmer in Iowa, who is trying to support his family, and struggles with some regrets. He doesn’t ask to be contacted by the supernatural, but he accepts the challenges that they present to him. With that being said, although I understand why this movie is normally classified under Blake Snyder's "Out of the Bottle" genre, I believe that this movie could also be considered under the genre, fool triumphant. We have Ray as the fool, who is not in his natural element. He follows the voices, helping others and ultimately, himself, along the way.
-Character Qualities - Ray is definitely a round and dynamic character. He is round, in that he is someone that I can imagine myself having lunch with. He has a background, experiences, a family. He’s also very dynamic. I don’t think he ever loses himself during his times of conflict, like many characters seem to do. He stays true to his role as father and husband, with only a small amount of strife coming into play during their times of financial crisis. Building this baseball field is fueled by his desire to be different than his late father – to have no regrets. As he takes this journey, he goes through a sort of healing process.
-Freytag Pyramid - Looking back on it, I think that this story does follow the Freytag Pyramid. To set up the story, Ray does a voiceover, offering background on his life. Then, he hears the voices, which sets him up for the rest of the action to unfold.
-Summary – Field of Dreams follows the story of a middle-aged family man, Ray Kinsella, who builds a baseball field, after hearing voices that tell him to do so (inciting incident). Though he has the support of his wife and young daughter, most of the community thinks he’s crazy. Hilarity and drama ensue as deceased historical figures – some fictional, some real – as well as people for Ray’s personal past, come to visit this field. The only problem is – Ray and his family are the only ones who can see them. Throughout the movie, Ray learns lessons about embracing opportunities and mending broken relationships.
-Story Question – What is the ultimate goal of this baseball field that Ray has been told to build?
-Genre – This movie is a drama-comedy-supernatural combo. There are some heavy thematic elements, such as Ray’s rocky relationship with his late father. Ray, as well as many of the supporting characters, struggles with regret. But, the comedic timing is perfect. Just when it seems that a scene is too sad or too serious, one of the characters comes in with a sarcastic or funny remark. There are also supernatural aspects, such as Ray’s interaction with “ghosts” and time travel.
-Deeper Meaning – This movie does have a deeper meaning; it just took me a while to pinpoint what it is. I think that it has to do with sticking to your instincts, even when everyone around you is telling you that you’re crazy. Embrace all of your opportunities, but also realize that it’s never too late for a second chance. There is also a definite entertainment component, with the comedy. Although the movie is thought-provoking, it’s also fun to watch.
-Award Caliber – I think that this film is award worthy, due to its intriguing story. Many different aspects are interwoven perfectly. There are sports, time travel, history, drama, comedy. It might seem like an odd combination, but it culminates in a great story with an awesome resolution.
-Character Impact – Ray is kind of thrust into this fish-out-of-water scenario. He knows nothing about farming, yet his wife convinces him to buy a farm. After he hears voices, he decides to build this baseball field, even though he realizes that it will most likely cause him to lose money. Once he has built this field, he is visited by and interacts with some of his deceased childhood heroes, like Shoeless Joe Jackson. His reactions are priceless – a middle-aged man acting like a kid in a candy store. As I think about his situation, I wonder, how would I react if I came face-to-face with my inspiration (especially if that person were dead)?
-Literary Hero – I would say that Ray falls under the category of modern hero. He’s your average guy - just an accidental farmer in Iowa, who is trying to support his family, and struggles with some regrets. He doesn’t ask to be contacted by the supernatural, but he accepts the challenges that they present to him. With that being said, although I understand why this movie is normally classified under Blake Snyder's "Out of the Bottle" genre, I believe that this movie could also be considered under the genre, fool triumphant. We have Ray as the fool, who is not in his natural element. He follows the voices, helping others and ultimately, himself, along the way.
-Character Qualities - Ray is definitely a round and dynamic character. He is round, in that he is someone that I can imagine myself having lunch with. He has a background, experiences, a family. He’s also very dynamic. I don’t think he ever loses himself during his times of conflict, like many characters seem to do. He stays true to his role as father and husband, with only a small amount of strife coming into play during their times of financial crisis. Building this baseball field is fueled by his desire to be different than his late father – to have no regrets. As he takes this journey, he goes through a sort of healing process.
-Freytag Pyramid - Looking back on it, I think that this story does follow the Freytag Pyramid. To set up the story, Ray does a voiceover, offering background on his life. Then, he hears the voices, which sets him up for the rest of the action to unfold.
Part 2 – Author’s intent and focus
I believe that the most important aspect of the movie is the story. It reminded me a lot of Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. Each scene – no matter how it may seem – is connected and leads to the resolution. To tie into the theme of regret and the struggle that Ray is facing, the author has brought in historical figures that also struggle with what could have been. As Ray helps these people, they, in turn, help him to make his dreams a reality.
I believe that the most important aspect of the movie is the story. It reminded me a lot of Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. Each scene – no matter how it may seem – is connected and leads to the resolution. To tie into the theme of regret and the struggle that Ray is facing, the author has brought in historical figures that also struggle with what could have been. As Ray helps these people, they, in turn, help him to make his dreams a reality.
Part 3 - Character Conflicts
It is a bit difficult to pinpoint the conflict within this story. It’s unusual in that – at least in my perspective - there isn’t an obvious conflict. I think that if I had to choose one, it would be Man vs. Society. Ray is being ridiculed for building a baseball stadium in the middle-of-nowhere Iowa. The majority of the people in his community think he’s mentally insane, especially since he can see and talk to these historical figures that they can’t see. All Ray knows is that this field has some sort of purpose – he doesn’t know what it is, but he has to do whatever the voices tell him. In this case, instead of acting as opponents, the supernatural forces actually aid Ray in his role as protagonist.
Part 4 – Personal Response and Recommendations
-Strong Points - I don’t think it’s possible to really pick out the strong points within this movie, at least not while you’re watching it. As I think back over it and the resolution, I look at scenes throughout and say, “oh, that’s what it was for.” The audience is left to question the resolution for most of the time. The story isn’t really wrapped up until the last several minutes. But, I think that’s what gives it strength. It makes the audience that much more focused and drawn in, because we want to know what the ending will be like.
-Weak Points – Because it is a movie that deals with history and time travel, sometimes it could be hard to keep up with it all. As an audience member, you can’t afford to zone out, because you’ll probably miss something important.
-Success – I believe that the story does succeed. In most movies, I have at least some inkling as to what the ending will be. But, this movie really kept me guessing, and I think that’s something that makes this movie stand out. It isn’t cookie cutter; it’s out of the box.
-Appropriate Audience – I think that people high school aged and above would enjoy this story. It has many different genres, so I don’t think it’s aimed toward fans of one group. It would help if viewers had a basic knowledge of American history, as well as some sports knowledge, but that’s not absolutely necessary.
-Grade A-
It is a bit difficult to pinpoint the conflict within this story. It’s unusual in that – at least in my perspective - there isn’t an obvious conflict. I think that if I had to choose one, it would be Man vs. Society. Ray is being ridiculed for building a baseball stadium in the middle-of-nowhere Iowa. The majority of the people in his community think he’s mentally insane, especially since he can see and talk to these historical figures that they can’t see. All Ray knows is that this field has some sort of purpose – he doesn’t know what it is, but he has to do whatever the voices tell him. In this case, instead of acting as opponents, the supernatural forces actually aid Ray in his role as protagonist.
Part 4 – Personal Response and Recommendations
-Strong Points - I don’t think it’s possible to really pick out the strong points within this movie, at least not while you’re watching it. As I think back over it and the resolution, I look at scenes throughout and say, “oh, that’s what it was for.” The audience is left to question the resolution for most of the time. The story isn’t really wrapped up until the last several minutes. But, I think that’s what gives it strength. It makes the audience that much more focused and drawn in, because we want to know what the ending will be like.
-Weak Points – Because it is a movie that deals with history and time travel, sometimes it could be hard to keep up with it all. As an audience member, you can’t afford to zone out, because you’ll probably miss something important.
-Success – I believe that the story does succeed. In most movies, I have at least some inkling as to what the ending will be. But, this movie really kept me guessing, and I think that’s something that makes this movie stand out. It isn’t cookie cutter; it’s out of the box.
-Appropriate Audience – I think that people high school aged and above would enjoy this story. It has many different genres, so I don’t think it’s aimed toward fans of one group. It would help if viewers had a basic knowledge of American history, as well as some sports knowledge, but that’s not absolutely necessary.
-Grade A-
Check back here next week for more reviews.
Until Next Time,
Kathryn (The Redhead Behind the Reviews)
Works Cited
Everyone Needs a Hero (Ch. 1) – The GWU Film Critic [Blog post]. (2016, September 1). Retrieved from https://gwufilmcritic.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/everyone-needs-a-hero-chapt-1/
The Freytag Experiment (Ch. 2) - The GWU Film Critic [Blog post]. (2016, September 7).
Retrieved from https://gwufilmcritic.wordpress.com/2016/09/07/the-freytag-experiment-ch-2/
A Matter of Character (Ch.1) – The GWU Film Critic [Blog post]. (2016, September 1). Retrieved from https://gwufilmcritic.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/character-matters/
When "Story is the Genre (Ch. 2) - The GWU Film Critic [Blog post]. (2016, September 7).
Retrieved from https://gwufilmcritic.wordpress.com/2016/09/07/when-story-is-the-genre-ch2/
9/14/16