Angels (1994)
"Angels in the Outfield" (original title)

When a boy prays for a chance to have a family if the California Angels win the pennant, angels are assigned to make that possible.

Director:

William Dear

Writers:

Dorothy Kingsley, George Wells,

Stars:

Danny Glover, Brenda Fricker, Tony Danza

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Glover	...	George Knox
Brenda Fricker	...	Maggie Nelson
Tony Danza	...	Mel Clark
Christopher Lloyd	...	Al the Boss Angel
Ben Johnson	...	Hank Murphy
Jay O. Sanders	...	Ranch Wilder
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Roger Bomman
Milton Davis Jr.	...	J.P.
Taylor Negron	...	David Montagne
Tony Longo	...	Triscuitt Messmer
Neal McDonough	...	Whitt Bass
Stoney Jackson	...	Ray Mitchell
Adrien Brody	...	Danny Hemmerling
Tim Conlon	...	Wally
Matthew McConaughey	...	Ben Williams

Storyline

Roger who has lost his mother is living separated from his father. As he and his friend J.P. are one of the biggest fans of the Los Angeles baseball team he has got only two dreams: Living together with a real family and let LA win the championship. As he is praying for these two things to happen some angels show up in order to help him - but he is the only one to see them and believe in them. Fortunately the coach of the baseball team sees his abilities and so LA has a run to the finals...

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Plot Keywords:

angel | team | baseball | friend | coach | 

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Taglines:

It Could Happen.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angels

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$50,236,831 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Caravan Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene with the baseball game on TV features former St. Louis Cardinals/Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Rick Horton (appearing in archive footage from the actual game).

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Goofs

During the Angels' game against the Chicago White Sox, Ray Mitchell hits a home run in the late innings. As he approaches home, he clearly fails to step on the plate.

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Quotes

[first lines]
JP: Roger, do you believe in heaven?
Roger Bomman: I guess. That's where they said my mom went.

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Connections

Featured in Sports on the Silver Screen (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
Written Jack Norworth and Albert von Tilzer

User Reviews

A Cliche with a Heart

Angels in the Outfield contains absolutely no unpredictable elements. The premise involves a young boy named Roger whose deadbeat father has all but abandoned him, saying that their being a family again is as unlikely as the last-place Angels winning the pennant. This prompts Roger to pray for the team and for a family. Suddenly, real angels jump in to help the inept team, and the coach of the Angels insists on Roger and his friend JP attending every home game.

I have now told you everything you need to know to figure out every plot turn in the movie. Yes, it is THAT predictable. Combine that with some unbearably goofy comedy, and you have what would appear to be a complete waste of 90 minutes.

But appearances aren't everything, and Angels ends up being more than the sum of its parts. While every part of the movie stays true to formula, the acting and directing never descend into mediocrity, and this infuses the film a with a sincere heart, a sense of joy that allows us to care for the characters even though we know exactly what's going to happen to them.

To be sure, there are many better films out there, and adults would almost certainly want to spend their time watching one with a bit more maturity. But for those looking for a movie they can enjoy along with their children, they will find Angels worth their time.