field+of+dreams+review,+corie+hahn

Corie Hahn August.24.09 Film As Literature 11G

Field of Dreams - Substance of Illusions

Ray Kinsella, a farmer growing up in Iowa in the late 1980’s, hears mystifying whispers in his corn field one day and decides to listen to it. Despite his doubtful surroundings, he continues to strive for his dream in order to do something spontaneous. With this, he begins a journey filled with mysterious ghosts who come back from the past to help him grow as a character. With hardships, doubtful people, and important decisions to make, this movie depicts a strong sense of growth, moral implications, human nature, and the growth of character and human relationships.

This movie is definitely considered to be a classic because its central theme can be considered universal and is appealing to everyone in all age groups. As the themes show later on in different movies, Field of Dreams establishes a foundation for movies in the future who have similar plots and themes. With the film’s structures which compliment well together, Field of Dreams does not disappoint its audience as everything seems to make sense in the end. Throughout the film, it shows different clues and hints leading up to the main idea of the movie and by the end of the movie, it all becomes clear. These types of movie is essential because some movies give away its theme from the start of the movie and work its way up from there, however, this movie shows a nostalgic and dream-like features which compliments the film’s tone and mood.

The setting is not typical as it is set in Iowa in the late 1980’s, rather than in New York City or in California as it usually is. The film can relate to the conservatives as well as the people in the middle and lower class, rather than just limiting it to a group of people. Furthermore, the film shows realistic settings and makes the transportation use certain so it does not come off like fantasy. The film’s tone color is consistent as the scene transitions does not move from one place to another rapidly. Rather, it connects well together so that the audience can understand the plot better.

In terms of characters, Ray Kinsella, portrayed by Kevin Costner exemplifies great acting as each character movements seem to push the plot forth together which makes the film blend well. Great acting by Kevin Costner, Amy Madigin, Gaby Hoffman, Timothy Busfield, and etc. compliments the film altogether. Mark, Annie’s brother, as a sort of a villain in the story will make the audience hate him as he tries to push back Ray Kinsella’s pursuit for his dreams. The audience will get a good grasp of different types of character. For example, Ray portrays a man who develops over time in search for his dreams. His wife, conflicted with what her brother is saying and what her husband is trying to pursue, who later on chooses her husband over her brother and many ghosts who add a dream-like tone to the movie.

This movie is definitely for any audience and a great family movie to watch with your kids. This movie is very touching and although baseball is an important element to the movie, the film gives a more important theme that can relate to anyone which is essential to consider this movie a classic. However, one thing I would like to see more is spectacular visual effects to make the transition of the ghosts appearing flow better. Some of the music presented in the movie was quite boring and a more upbeat music during the more dramatic scenes would have made the movie better.

However, all in all, Field of Dreams is considered to be a classic because it portrays a central theme that is universal and can relate to anyone. With the help of the excellent actors and actresses, and a unique change of setting, Field of Dreams is definitely worth 4.3 stars out of 5. Although the theme can be considered a cliché, the movie is a classic and can impress many audiences of different age groups. Furthermore, the aims of the film makes you think a lot after the film.