Versatile Oscar winner Walther Matthau stars in this now-classic youth sports film about a little league team made up of incompetents, a girl, and a juvenile delinquent. This is an irreverent comedy which also includes some life lessons, especially for adults involved in youth sports.
This may not be "Hoosiers", but it is a comeback tale of sorts. And its characters have a story arc that is gratifying.
The girl on the team is Amanda Whurlitzer, played by Tatum O'Neal, who also had an Oscar in hand, for her performance in her previous film, "Paper Moon". She is as integral to the story as Matthau, and she holds her own. Another actor of note is the young Jackie Earle Haley, who plays the juvenile delinquent. Four years later, he will appear in another classic sports film, "Breaking Away".
This oft-copied and parodied film is still fun to watch. No sports film ever featured underdogs with less hope; watch how they put the "team" in self-esteem.
This may not be "Hoosiers", but it is a comeback tale of sorts. And its characters have a story arc that is gratifying.
The girl on the team is Amanda Whurlitzer, played by Tatum O'Neal, who also had an Oscar in hand, for her performance in her previous film, "Paper Moon". She is as integral to the story as Matthau, and she holds her own. Another actor of note is the young Jackie Earle Haley, who plays the juvenile delinquent. Four years later, he will appear in another classic sports film, "Breaking Away".
This oft-copied and parodied film is still fun to watch. No sports film ever featured underdogs with less hope; watch how they put the "team" in self-esteem.