Field of Dreams...

Guru · July 7, 2007 2:28PM

Why is that I always tear up when watching this movie?

lawnmowerman · July 7, 2007 2:33PM

Hey Dad? Do you wanna have a catch?

Me too

kidzfund · July 7, 2007 3:47PM

That does it for me. My dad died in '85.

Joe

Guru · July 7, 2007 4:28PM

This may sound weird, but here goes. I've been obsessed with this movie for the last 2 years now. I went and talked with a therapist about this because I thought it was really weird. I mean, I read the book by W.P. Kinsella, bought the movie, bought the soundtrack, even have the poster hanging in my office at home. The therapist said that I was probably trying to work things out with my dad in my head, but not actually doing it. My dad and I haven't gotten along all that great over the years. I mean, off and on it's been alright.
So, this is what he suggested I do. I told him that when I was growing up I had always wanted to play baseball but never really had the chance. My dad worked long hours and there were no kids in my neighborhood to practice with. When I went to play little league I got blown out of the water. The coach of the team in my area told my parents they were wasting their money if they couldn't devote the time to help me. My dad really wanted to, but he had to work two jobs to keep us on our feet. By the time he had started his own business and my family was doing quite well, I was in college.
I alway regreted not playing baseball. My dad and I have both blamed ourselves for the whole thing and also blamed each other. The therapist told me I needed to take my dad to the actual field of dreams in Dyersville, IA and play a game of catch with him. Bat a few balls and take some pictures. Then we needed to go to a game just the two of us. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm really tired of being tormented by this.
I know this thread will probably be deleted, but I don't really have any friends where I live because we just moved and I just needed to tell some people. I know I don't know anyone in person, but you all feel like friends.

Chris

stitzen · July 7, 2007 4:31PM

I think it's normal to develop attachments for films or tv shows that echo feelings of longing in your own life. While I don't think you would actually need to travel to the field of dreams to overcome this, I do think having regular catches with your father would help you to overcome your feelings that have you so attached, so enthralled in this film.

Have you talked to your father about this? Have you talked to him about possibly getting together for a regular game of catch? There's something about having a catch that makes the world stop, and if you could do so with your father, I'd highly recommend it.

Lothar52 · July 7, 2007 9:58PM

I tear up every time I watch 61*...especially at the end when mickey tells him that record is his...and especially when he shakes his hand and tells him "your a good man roger"....i dont know why but I cry like a baby. I watched it last night with my woman and couldnt hold back the tears. God I love this movie. If you havent seen it go buy it...it cost like 5 or 6 bucks at best buy for some CRAZY reason. Better then 99.9% of the crap they will charge you at the theater to see.

Loth

scooter729 · July 7, 2007 10:03PM

Guru, I know what you mean. I was fortunate enough to have my dad help me through my Little League years, but any time I see Field of Dreams, it always makes me wish I could do more with him.

So are you planning to go to Iowa, to the real field with him? I'm not sure where you live or how easy that would be, but that would be fantastic to helping your bond with him.

fur72 · July 8, 2007 2:10AM

Guru,

I live about 20 minutes from the Field of Dreams, if you need any help locating it or advice on where to stay shoot me a pm. I know quite a few people who were in the movie as extras. Actually a guy I worked with was one of the ghost players in the movie and still does it to this day. It was really cool to be around here when they shot the movie.

Fur

Carew29 · July 8, 2007 2:23AM

Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.

milbroco · July 8, 2007 5:45AM

Yeah this movie always make me tear up. My dad died of cancer in 1981 when I was 20, he was 49. We always had catches in the front driveway. He never said no....not even when he was weak from the cancer or the treatments of chemo and whatever else. At least we got to see the Phillies win the World Series together. After all these years I still miss him.
Bob

alifaxwa2 · July 8, 2007 9:53AM

Bigstep · July 8, 2007 10:49AM

Chris
This really touched a nerve with me as I was that dad that worked way too much overtime 7 days a week. Thank God they still both love baseball.

Rich

TheVon · July 8, 2007 2:00PM

Guru,

For what it's worth, I think you should take your therapist's advice. Worst case scenario is that you're out some money for the trip. Best case scenario is that you have a magical time and you work things out with your dad.

Like several other posters have mentioned, my dad died when I was a kid and I can't think of anything I wouldn't give to have just one more game of catch with him. Take advantage of this opportunity before it's too late.

Boopotts · July 9, 2007 10:57AM

Having a crappy relationship with your dad is as American as hot dogs on the fourth of July. I don't know if it's like this in Canada or Sweden or wherever but it sure as hell is here. My dad died in 02/05-- one of those classic 'never saw it coming' heart attacks, on Friday he called me complaining about this terrible cold he'd caught, and two days later my step mom calls to tell me he's bit it-- and I still brood every day over the things we never did together, and the things I wished I'd taken the time to say.

All of which puts me in a dubious fraternity with about 60,000,000 other American men who enjoyed an emotionally stifling relationship with their fathers, and find themselves wrestling with those relationships for years after the old man's passing. My only consolation is that I now have the opportunity to build enigmatic and ultimately unsatisfying relationships with my own children, thereby giving them the chance to grapple with these same issues after I decide to take the dirt nap. Nothing like passing on an American tradition!

Field of Dreams...

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