literate script, wonderful film

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2004)

I'm shocked at the poor reviews people are giving this film. It's one of the smartest films of the 1980s. Ron Shelton is one heck of a writer, and it's probably the best film he's directed, too. Like Tootsie, this film is a throwback to 1930s literate screenplays -- Pauline Kael said this film reminded her of Preston Sturges. Perhaps people who don't like it want some sentimental rot like Field of Dreams, or more action like some other sports movie. But this is a romantic-comedy, and it's both romantic and very funny. (If only Costner had stuck to films like this...) It's one of the few films I can watch over and over. If you haven't seen this film, you've missed something beautiful.