MAJOR LEAGUE

US, 1989, 107 minutes, Colour.
Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Margaret Whitton, James Gammon, Rene Russo, Wesley Snipes, Chelcie Ross, Denis Haysbert.
Directed by David S. Ward.

Major League is a particularly American comedy focusing on baseball. It is a farce - the lowest team in the league, recruited from no-hopers, eventually wins.

The film was written and directed by David S. Ward who wrote The Sting, wrote and directed Cannery Row. The film labours farce - and is not as clever as his other films. Tom Berenger enjoys himself as the hero, Charlie Sheen looks severe as the ex-prisoner, Corbin Bernsen is self-preoccupied and trying to avoid injury while being in the league. There is a good supporting cast including James Gammon as the coach and Margaret Whitten as the owner of the team, who wants them to be defeated.

Amusing - particularly American.

1. A piece of Americana, the focus on baseball? Rocky applied to a baseball team?

2. The work of David S. Ward, his skill in comedy, in irony? As applied here?

3. The setting in Cleveland, the city? The Arizona spring camp? The world of baseball? Musical score, songs and theme?

4. Audience knowledge of major league baseball? Its status in the U.S? On the American consciousness and psyche? Sport, winning, heroes? The commentators?

5. The credits and the information about the Indians, their record of losses? Rachel Phelps and her takeover? Her plan for them to lose? Relying on Charlie and his recruiting?

6. The recruitment of each of the players: the introduction to each, their sense of failure, their reaction? Arrival, jokes? The assembly? The try-outs and their skills and failures? The spring training? The games and their
failures, a few wins? The effect and their losing their benefits: the old plane, losing the hot water? The bus? The possibilities for their future? Charlie telling Lou the truth? Lou telling the whole team? The picture of Rachel and their peeling the pieces of clothes off as they had a win? Trying
harder, the victories and their effect?

7. Lou as coach, in himself, experience, handling the team, understanding their reactions, the spirit of the team, tactics, disgust at Rachel, the victory? The final question about Harris and Rick?

8. Jake and his womanising, bad knees, return, his skills, catching, his hopes, friendship with Rick, threatening Roger about Rick? Seeing Lynn, the telephone and interview in the restaurant, following her home, into Tom's party and his conversation? Seeing her at the game, following her to her home, sexual encounter, her not promising anything, her moving out? His having to take stock, motivation to win, the games and his techniques, the heroism of his final run, seeing Lynn, the happy ending?

9. Rick born in prison, hair an earring, tough, arrival, the red tape and his reaction to the coach, the Jokes? Clashes with Roger - and the irony of his relationship with his wife? Power and his pitch, solemn? Failing? Needing the glasses and the improvement? The build-up to the finale, his final three pitches?

10. Hayes and his comedy, arrival with the car, carrying out the bed, his phenomenal run, his own failures, his winning, contribution to the team?

11. Pedro and his voodoo, ceremonies, the clash with Harris, his prayers, his missing the pitches, his relying on his bat, the end and his bit?

12. Harris's ageing, the pitcher, his skill, his prayer, the comedy about the sprinklers, the clash with Pedro?

13. Roger and his fumbling the ball, self-centred, clashes with Rick and jokes, his wealth, his wife, the change and wanting to win, the bruises, his wife's betrayal, urging on Rick and then punching him?

14. Rachel, her background, motives, her plan, the losing of the matches, her pep-talks, losing privileges, her exasperation at losing?

15. Lynn, athletic, librarian, the reading of the Toby Dick' comics? Relating to Jake, Tom, the clashes, her going back?

16. The fans, the commentators and their despondence, the Indians and their support, the gradual change, the support, the crowds, the workers, the Chinese at the grounds? The picture of fans and their enthusiasm? The humour of the American Express TV ad?

17. The major league, the matches, the fuss, the New York opposition? Victory -a piece of Americana?