Bad News Bears (The)

Genre: comedy

With: Walter Matthau (Morris Buttermaker), Tatum O'Neal (Amanda Whurlitzer), Vic Morrow (Roy Turner), Joyce Van Patten (Cleveland), Jackie Earle Haley (Kelly Leak)

Director: Michael Ritchie

Screenplay: Bill Lancaster

Release: 1976

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.1/10





Boys Will Be Boys... But What About The Girls?





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Story-line: a washed up baseball player is recruited to coach a Little League team made up of hapless and hopeless losers.

Pluses: cranky performances by Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal and an unruly bunch of youngsters, a mature and very refreshing screenplay that doesn't play according to formula, sensible direction, modest but adequate production values. 

Minuses: this is not a squeaky clean sports movie... expect naughtiness all around! 

Comments: although most of its characters are kids, THE BAD NEWS BEARS feels like it was made mainly for adults. With its memorable scenes, true surprises and nasty ending, Michael Ritchie’s work is much more than a guilty pleasure. It's a seriously funny film... and a treat for movie buffs. Enjoy!





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