The Babe 1992 Dir.Arthur Hiller

The Babe 1992 Directed by Arthur Hiller

Starring John Goodman as George Herman “Babe” Ruth

Babe is put into a school for boys run by Jesuits when he is seven years old and during an outdoor activity Ruth shows his ability to hit the ball without ever playing before. Next the film cuts to twelve years later when Ruth is offered a spot at the Baltimore Orioles. He was then quickly transferred to the Boston Red Sox. This shows his limitations with people and in society but not in his playing.

            I think Goodman did an excellent job playing this role. He has a large heart giving to everyone, those in need as well as, people he loves and plays with. However he has a lot of problems because of upbringing. He acts inappropriate and brash, arrogant and insensitive. Playing both parts of this role, the good and bad guy is a difficult role but Goodman pulls it off.

            I am not a big baseball fan, or know much about the sport but this movie kept my attention and I got really engrossed in the film. The ups and downs with his personal life made an interesting side story for his baseball career, which was the focus of the film. I even felt a little emotional when he made the two homeruns for the sick little boy. Eventually Babe has a meltdown, his wife files for divorce, he gets multiple suspensions for conduct and his playing falls apart. We see him pull his life back together, remarry and struggle to return to baseball. During this time the audience really sees him finally grow up and leave behind some of his childish actions.

            As far as the details of the actual filmmaking, I liked a few parts. I really liked how they cut to show what the televisions at the time were showing about him in the old black and white format. I also liked the music. In the beginning I thought the dark music when he was being put into the orphanage was a little predictable and too dramatic but the rest of the movie had good musical scores. I especially liked the one during his spring training with the upbeat sounds while he’s hitting homerun after homerun.

            I think this is the best movie I’ve watched from 92. The others I watched I disliked or enjoyed but don’t think I would watch again. I really liked The Babe and could see myself watching this movie again.