Angel Movies

Two foster children, Roger and JP, go to the Angels ballgame. The Angels are losing, but Roger sees an angel behind the ball-players who have the best plays. He eventually convinces the manager to put certain players into the game. His choices seem to be the players who have not proven themselves all year. The ball game announcer mocks the decisions but is amazed as they perform the most unusual outstanding maneuvers which turns the luck of the team into winners. Knox, the manager, is finally convinced that Roger sees something and reluctantly follows his suggestions which keeps the Angels on a winning streak.

Both Roger and JP are foster-children of Maggie. Soon after one of the children in the foster home has been adopted, Roger goes for a custody hearing. There he discovers his own dad does not want him. Roger is given to the state of California for custody. Roger’s hearing takes place on the day of a crucial game. He can not make it and without his help the Angels lose. Nonetheless, the Angels made it to the World Series. Knox is worried since he lost the previous game whether or not his team can win. It turns out Roger meets the head angel-in-the-outfield who lets him in on a secret, Mel Clark, the pitcher has cancer and only 6 months left to live, however he does not know it yet. It turns out that the Angels playing in the World Series are not permitted to receive help from the angels-in-the-outfield. The ball players must win this one on their own power …

Needless to say, one can guess the ending … However, the plot thickens, as the announcer of the ball game suspects some trick in the Angels winning streak. He tells the newspapers that the manager believes their winning streak is due to divine intervention, in the form of angels. Due to this revelation, the owner of the team wants to fire the manager. Just when Knox intends to announce his resignation at a news conference, there is an unexpected turn of events. The ball players stick together and each stands up declaring, if the manager leaves so will they. The team goes on to win the World Series and the foster children reeive a big surprise, too. They are adopted by an unlikely “father”. This story will touch the heart of children and adults alike. It is a “feel good” story filled with poignant moments and heart-warming results.

Cast

• Danny Glover as George Knox
• Brenda Fricker as Maggie Nelson
• Tony Danza as Mel Clark
• Christopher Lloyd as Al the Boss Angel
• Ben Johnson as Hank Murphy
• Jay O. Sanders as Ranch Wilder
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Roger Bomman
• Milton Davis Jr. as J.P.
• Taylor Negron as David Montagne
• Tony Longo as Triscuitt Messmer
• Neal McDonough as Whitt Bass
• Stoney Jackson as Ray Mitchell
• Adrien Brody as Danny Hemmerling
• Tim Conlon as Wally
• Albert Garcia as Pablo Garcia
• Matthew McConaughey as Ben Williams
• Dermot Mulroney as Mr. Bomman (Roger’s Dad)
• Robert Clohessy as Frank Gates

Looking for a movie with good baseball, good for family and representative of the world of the 50′s this is it.

This is a real family movie and worth your time and money, I find it more interesting in terms of the way things are different now and then.

As a history buff one of the things I’ve noticed about this movie is the acceptance of religion. In one of the climatic scenes of the movie this is assumed that of COURSE the baseball comish believes in Angels, and to say no to that possibility is to say no to scripture. The positive portrayal of religion is another change.

It is interesting to see that the idea that scripture was able to be questioned as unthinkable.

Look for Mrs. Cleaver (Barbara Billingsley) in a bit role that is rather cute.

Cast

• Paul Douglas as Aloysius X. ‘Guffy’ McGovern
• Janet Leigh as Jennifer Paige
• Keenan Wynn as Fred Bayles
• Donna Corcoran as Bridget White
• Lewis Stone as Arnold P. Hapgood
• Bruce Bennett as Saul Hellman