Common Sense Media Review
Father-son baseball crowd-pleaser with a supernatural twist.
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Field of Dreams
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Parents say that while the movie offers a touching story centered on relationships, it includes some language, drug references, and mature themes that may not be suitable for younger children, making it recommended for ages 13 and up. Many reviewers emphasize the nostalgic elements and emotional depth, but suggest that parents should preview the film to gauge whether its content aligns with their values and their child's maturity level.
- mature themes
- language issues
- emotional depth
- father-son relationship
- age recommendations
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 13 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In FIELD OF DREAMS, Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) stands in the middle of his first Iowa corn crop and hears a voice say, "If you build it, he will come." He begins to understand that this means he must plow the corn and build a baseball field so that Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta), barred from baseball since 1919 and dead for years, can play on it. Ray and his wife, Annie (Amy Madigan), know this is a strange thing to do, but they still do it. And Jackson—the hero of Ray's father, a former minor leaguer, with whom Ray had never been able to connect—does show up, along with his teammates. Then the voice speaks again: "Ease his pain." Ray comes to understand that this refers to a civil rights-era author named Terence "Terry" Mann (James Earl Jones), now a recluse. Ray finds Terry, and together they hear the voice say "Go the distance." With a new partner in tow, Ray and Terry set off on the next leg of their journey to find out what the voice is trying to tell them.
Is It Any Good?
The themes of this satisfying drama are perseverance, family, and baseball. Using a creative supernatural framework, Field of Dreams explores a father-son bond from beyond the grave. With deliberate pacing that echoes both the stillness and action of a real baseball game, this reverent movie will appeal particularly to viewers with an appreciation for the sport and its history.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Ray demonstrates perseverance in Field of Dreams. How do you know when to pursue a dream that seems unreasonable or foolish to others? What thoughts go into weighing the risks of certain choices? Is there a way to know for sure whether an idea is a good one?
How did Ray's experience with the baseball field help him heal his pain related to his relationship with his father? What could you do to mend some family wounds?
What kinds of stereotypes are discussed or displayed in this movie? Is Annie a positive or clichéd character? What about Terry?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 21, 1989
- On DVD or streaming : April 29, 1998
- Cast : Kevin Costner , James Earl Jones , Amy Madigan , Ray Liotta
- Director : Phil Alden Robinson
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Awards : Academy Award - Best Picture Nominee , Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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