Field of Dreams: If you build it, he will come

One of the most inspiring movies I’ve ever watched is Field of Dreams (1989). Written for the screen and directed by Phil Alden Robinson, it stars Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, a corn farmer in Iowa who lives a satisfying but unmemorable life with his wife Annie (Amy Madigan) and young daughter Karin (Gaby Hoffman). One evening, while tending to his corn, Ray hears a voice that tells him “If you build it, he will come.” He comes to the realization that if he builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield, some professional players of the past who were unjustly banned on the grounds of match fixing, most notably the great Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta), would return to play on that field. At first, nothing happens, and Ray and his family come under increasing financial pressure from having built the field. One day, though, Shoeless Joe appears on the field and his teammates soon follow. It seems that the promised miracle has occurred. However, then the voice returns with the command “Ease his pain”, and Ray is sent on a new quest.

What makes Field of Dreams an inspirational film is the way that it uses baseball as a metaphor for valuing what is most important in life, namely one’s family. It also shows that it is never too late to come to terms with the past. However, although it is an intensely personal story, it also touches upon such themes as the innocence of a bygone era, the ongoing social issues facing Middle America and the balance of following one’s dreams versus the practical demands of everyday life. In other words, the field that Ray builds isn’t a place where dreams come true in a straightforward manner, but instead come with responsibilities attached.

In lesser hands, Field of Dreams could have become a routine sports movie, but Robinson’s sensitive screenplay and direction elevates it to something considerably more profound. Indeed, being a baseball fan isn’t a prerequisite for appreciating the film at all. Kevin Costner was close to the peak of his stardom when Field of Dreams was released and the everyman character of Ray Kinsella fits him like a glove. This is a film in which all cast members play their roles to perfection. Amy Madigan is lively but endearingly supportive of her husband’s decisions. Also, two legends of the silver screen, Burt Lancaster and James Earl Jones, deliver powerful supporting performances. Special mention must also be made of James Horner’s alternately haunting and rousing soundtrack which accentuates the emotion of the film to a significant degree.

The final scene in the film has earned a place as one of the most memorable and deeply affecting scenes in cinematic history. I would challenge anyone to watch it without developing tears in their eyes and a lump in their throat. It is the perfect conclusion to one of the most inspirational movies I have ever watched. I highly recommend seeking out Field of Dreams on DVD or Netflix.

Ming

Vocabulary

bygone (adj.) ? happening or existing during a period of time in the past
endearingly (adv.) ? doing something that makes people like you
rousing (adj.) ? making you feel emotional, excited or enthusiastic
accentuate (v) ? to make something more noticeable