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| Few things from the 1970s have aged well, if Peter Frampton�s appearance at Naperville�s RibFest last year is any indication. But underneath a thin layer of cultural classics (�The Godfather� films, Led Zeppelin�s peak period) and a whole mess of embarrassments better left unsaid, a few small-time gems have shone underneath gluttony�s decade-long pressure. �The Bad News Bears� stands as a diamond in the midst. Enjoying the ultimate Little League movie means ignoring the washed-out �70s look and retro Pizza Hut signs. The most telling characteristics � instigators for two sequels and a quotability factor through the roof � play the same games with an audience today as they did in 1976, just like the sport that�s depicted with such a detached reverence. Twenty-six years later, the name �Kelly Leak� still epitomizes the wild-child slugger, full of punkish spirit and natural talent. Maybe you were on a team that featured such a star. Heck, maybe you were the �Kelly Leak� (played spot-on in the movie by Jackie Earle Haley). Then you�d recall warmly the cast of characters media executives dream of, so readily available on every all-inclusive Little League team. Time hasn�t removed the likes of a Tanner Boyle (Chris Barnes) or Engelberg (Gary Lee Cavagnaro) from Little League�s natural selection. The hot-headed Tanner spouts epithets, throws gloves and picks fights like a kid diagnosed with a chipped shoulder. And current coaching still dictates that the Engelbergian, overweight kid must be catcher. Look it up, it�s probably in the rules. The movie�s best moments come when such attention to detail harkens back to one�s own memories of childhood sports. These game recaps of yore are aided by sympathetic caricatures. Walter Matthau�s Coach Morris Buttermaker (and subtly called many other names throughout the film) exists as a focal point, but his subtle shifts from drunken, washed-up ballplayer to involved coach take the skill of a man who never took a role too lightly. The DVD release comes nearly two years after Matthau�s death and in the wake of several tributes recognizing his comedic originality. With a face like that, the roadblocks to laughs were few. But take a look at �The Bad News Bears� and his facial expressions, especially in dealing with such sigh-worthy players as relief pitcher Rudi Stein (David Pollock). With such memories running so strong, you�d thing the DVD could capitalize on such feelings. But the disc arrives sans extras � a void equivalent to forfeiting a game because not enough players have arrived. Just last year, the producers of �The Goonies� creating a loving treat for fans, with interviews with all the kids. While Tatum O�Neal is no Corey Feldman, this film demands a special edition full of retrospective insight. Maybe the time isn�t right for such things. These days, movies like �Hardball� are passed off as legitimate Little League movies. And Kelly Leak, with his stringy hair and aviator sunglasses, probably wouldn�t adorn adolescent girls� walls like he did 21 years ago. And such un-PC dialogue and depictions of drinking probably wouldn�t make it past the rough draft in the current climate. But some things exist outside the ravages of time. The short guy still can draw the walk. Coaches� sons still offer up more emotional fodder than any other player. And lines like Kelly Leak�s, �I got a Harley Davidson. Does that turn you on? Harley Davidson?� draw laughs even now. Long live Kelly Leak, even in disappointing digital glory. |
| The Bad News Bears |
| two and one-half stars (out of four) |
| Starring Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal, Vic Morrow and Jackie Earle Haley. Directed by Michael Ritchie. DVD features include *cough* scene access and a trailer. |