Field Of Dreams Themes

The theme of a particular film is its subject or idea, however, films may contain several themes depending on the viewer. These may vary from religious themes, to political themes and may not be the intended target of a films writer or director. (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014)
For the purpose of this paper, I will argue the film Field of Dreams does not contain a baseball theme, but one of inner conflict between father and son. Field of Dreams is a film of perseverance, fear, ingenuity, and good old fashioned stubbornness, from a man who fears becoming like his father. Resources will prove how this films use of acting style, cinematography, and direction are used to portray the father/son persona. Additionally, you will realize the reasoning behind this films theme, due to the unsecure masculinity during the 1980’s when this film was released. Although key elements pertaining to baseball were seen throughout this film; The sport of baseball is not the movies theme. Field of Dreams has several classifications for a sports themed film; However, due to acting style, direction, and cinematography, portrays a masculine balance between father and son.
Released in 1989, Field of Dreams is a feature length film about a

man who puts all the money him and his family have into building a baseball field. After hearing an unearthly message telling him to build it, Ray (Kevin Costner) places his family and Iowa farm in financial stress. So why build a baseball diamond in the middle of an Iowa cornfield you ask? According to Hunter in 2005, Films about baseball are typically films about boys and men.
Although the story has Ray building a baseball diamond, this films theme is not sports related. Author of Field of Dreams: A favorite of President Clinton states, the film is a father-son melodrama and highly conservative. (Cooper 1995) Furthermore, J. Nilsson who wrote the article Take Me Back to the Ball Game says the film about hope and a father and son’s passion for life (Nilsson 2000). That being said, we now see our themes intention of the drama brought forth between a father and son. The infamous Iowa farm baseball diamond was not constructed to bring back the players of times past, but to bring fourth (and eventually reunite) Ray and his deceased father. Not only does this differentiate from the sports theme of the film, is also different than the original novel that based the movie titled Shoeless Joe, written by Kinsella in 1982.
In Kinsella’s novel there was no conflict between Ray and his father according to J. Nilssen, who states “One is struck by the fact that in the novel there is no conflict between Ray Kinsella and his father, no feeling of “father hunger” that drives Ray on his quest.” (Nilssen, J 2000 p. 7 para 2) Why would film director Phil Alden Robinson, sway from using the original work in the novel?
According to Nilssen, the 1980’s were a time of masculinity issues between father and son. An era of dominance issues within the male ranks regarding traditional values. Nilssen also states that parents of the eighties are told they should stop feeling guilty about no longer dreaming of perfection in themselves or their sons. (Nilssen, 2000) Field of Dreams was a film to help spotlight these issues and assist in rekindling father-son relationships. Not only did great film direction and cinematography assist with the bonding, but also, the films acting style.
Throughout the film, Ray was confused about the ghostly voices, angry with his past, and in fear of becoming his father. Actor Kevin Costner’s acting styled portray these emotions flawlessly. With all of these inner conflicts and no father to guide him, Ray was forced to go it alone and complete his quest for closure. Although Ray’s father had past and this being a father-son theme, he was introduced to two characters in the film, who acted as father figures.
Terrence Mann (James Earl Jones) was Ray’s first encounter, as he was sent to ease his pain according to the film. However, Terrence clearly thought Ray was insane and turned him away at first. The acting style of James Earl Jones was impeccable to this father figure role and he played it well. He was constantly correcting and guiding Ray throughout the remainder of the film, just as a father would guide a son. Nevertheless, by trying to correct Ray into believing the voices were in his head and how Ray was putting his family in financial ruin, Terrence himself finally admitted to hearing/seeing the messages.
Now joining in Ray’s crusade, Terrence rides along side in the search for the films second father figure, Archie “Moonlight” Graham (Burt Lancaster).

The acting style of Moonlight Graham is one of authority and wisdom. Personally, I feel this character is meant to teach Ray responsibility. Just as a father teaches his son to be responsible, Moonlight advises Ray that dreams are fantastic, but priorities must come first. For example, he chose to stay and help others are a Doctor and not run away to play a game. Furthermore, he taught Ray about sacrificing your dream, in order to save his daughters life. Nilssen also enforces this by stating, the relationships Ray has with these “father like” characters during his quest, all lead him to his

father.
Ray eventually meets his ghostly father at the end of the film and is able to play that game of catch he missed with his dad, shake his fathers hand, which from a cinematography stance was the longest close-up hold scene in the film according to Cooper in 1995, and gain the closure he so much desired.
In closing, the film Field of Dreams did contain a great deal of sports related nostalgia, and symbolized through its cinematography. It also used the sporting acting style represented by the ghostly baseball players. Nonetheless, this film used baseball as an analogy to appeal to a male viewership during an era of male dominance issues between father and son. It used father type acting styles in two of its characters. The cinematography also symbolized the importance of a handshake between a father and son, as it was the longest close-up hold during the entire film. The director clearly chose this theme not only to help bond lost father-son relationships, but also, instill in them this bond lasts a lifetime. That being said, Field of Dreams has several classifications for a sports themed film; However, due to acting style, direction, and cinematography, portrays a masculine balance between father and son.