Movie Scene

 

 

  If I could think of one movie that reminded me of my childhood, it would be The Sandlot. Not only was I a child when the movie was released, but I related to the bunch entirely. The controversies they faced, the trouble they got into, the fun, and the friendships; parts of the movie seemed to relate to every situation of my childhood. Now that I am older, I can’t say that much as far as it being relatable, but it still brings me back to my adolescence when I watch it. 

1.       Personal

There is a specific scene that I really enjoy from the movie because it evokes emotion from me on a personal level. I grew up with a love for baseball, and BBQs, both a representation of America. During the 4th of July scene when Benny goes to get smalls to play baseball, Ray Charles is singing America the Beautiful under a star lit sky, and fireworks. The song, the baseball game, the BBQ, the fireworks; all together create a very lustful moment for any child.  It was this scene that made the 4th of July my favorite holiday.

2.       Historical

The Sandlot is a favorite to many Americans, and it would be hard to find a person who has never seen, quoted, or can relate to the movie.  I do think this movie is a perfect depiction of the American lifestyle. After all, it takes place in 1962, prior to the culture shift when old fashion values still molded American society. There is also a historical significance to July 4th, 1776 when America claimed our independence from Britain. A celebration of when Democracy was born.

3.       Technical

     The scene starts out with the beginning of Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful”, and finishes with the end of the song. Obviously a very patriotic scene, after all, it is the 4th of July. A sun-set sky, a ticki torch, and the front porch light are the first light sources in the scene, until the camera pans around to the block party where ticki torches are the primary light source accented by the sparklers, and the stars.

     The Mis-en-Scene is a 4th of July block party with neighbors, tables, and plenty of ticki torches. The camera follows Smalls and Benny as they run through the tables picking at food, and tilts up to get a full shot of the entire party. At this time there is a voice-over of the narrator. The scene switches to slow-motion of the boys running to the baseball field, intending to capture the essence of the moment with Ray Charles still singing in the background.

    My favorite technical aspect of this part of the movie is when Benny hits the ball, and as the boys look up to see the ball in the sky, the fireworks start shooting off. It is a moment that puts a viewer in true “awww”. In this paticular scene, the ball is the signifier, and the signified would be the fireworks, or the celebration of America’s independence. This is a moment in the movie with something becomes more important than the baseball game, because they throw their gear down as if to surrender to the fireworks.

 

 4.       Ethical, Cultural and Critical.

I do think this scene is a good depiction of the American household, family, and childhood. Ask those who grew up in the early 1960s, and they would agree. Although the times have changed, the movie is still a good idea of what I would describe as America in the 50s and 60s. Like I mentioned before, 1962 was right before the culture shift, and the liberal movements that swept the nation. The scene represented the prime time of American nationalism and patriotism, a time when being outside was more popular than Guitar Hero, and when family and friends where all someone needed to love life. This movie, namely the Fourth of July scene, is sheer bliss.

 

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