Review: A League of Their Own, “A reimagined home run.”

Reimagining A Classic

Batter up! The time has come for a new lineup of Rockford Peaches. Now, I know what you may be thinking. “Why do they always have to remake a classic?” I thought that too until I pressed play.

A League of Their Own is one of my all-time favorite movies. I mean, I watched this film so much as a kid I wore out my VHS tape. It literally shaped me into who I am today. It taught me women have a place in sports and in film. This was the first time I heard of a woman directing a movie! This was the first time I saw girls like me on screen! So, why remake it? Well, let’s not forget A League of Their Own is not all fiction. The story is based on actual events. Women were asked to take on new roles when men went to war, like working or playing baseball. There are more stories to tell during that time period. Stories that weren’t told in the 90s when the film was released.

They’re the members of the All-American League. They come from cities near and far. But don’t be fooled; this series is far from a rehash of the classic film. The series is another depiction of events that happened during the 40s. This isn’t a remake. No, this is a completely reimagined story with new characters and new stories to tell.

Don’t worry; there are no spoilers ahead.

The Story

This story follows Carson shaw (Abbi Jacobson), a woman who breaks away from her mundane life to follow her dream of being a professional ball player. Like the movie, Carson instantly becomes friends with two women who are also going to tryouts, Greta (D’Arcy Carden) and Jo (Melanie Field).

A separate plot follows Max (Chanté Adams). With her best friend Clance (Gbemisola Ikumelo) at her side, she is also hoping to get a shot to play ball. Max is instantly told no because of the color of her skin. But that won’t hold her back.

What Makes the Series Different?

This reboot has a fresh perspective while also giving you winks and nods to the original. As much as I love the movie, it’s limited on time. There’s not much room to dive into the deeper issues that plagued people, mainly women, in the 40s. The most significant differences you’ll see are same-sex couples and a deeper dive into racism and sexism. There’s still a heartfelt story surrounding a “farm girl” with a talent for baseball, but there’s also time well spent on the other girls on the team and those who weren’t even allowed to try out.

The series is also hilarious. How could it not be with someone like Jacobson on the roster? The jokes are effortlessly funny, with each woman getting moments to show off their comedic skills. A huge standout, and a new personal favorite of mine, is Gbemisola Ikumelo as Clance. She had scenes so funny I had to rewind and watch them repeatedly.

The Key Players

Carson, played by Abbi Jacobson, goes on a journey to find herself. When her husband is sent off to war, she seizes the opportunity to learn what she wants in life. Her character arc is told beautifully in just eight episodes.

Max also has a well-rounded storyline. Initially, she is laser-focused on one thing, making the team. When she connects with her estranged uncle, Max also finds herself on a journey of self-discovery. By the end, she is not only more confident but happier than how she began.

As I mentioned, Gbemisola Ikumelo as Clance is perfection. From the moment she speaks, you will fall in love. She’s a nerd who loves comic books with a heart of gold. She’s the best friend you wish you could have. Not only is she a fantastic comedic actress, but she’s also a fabulous dramatic actress as well. A few times, her performance left me gutted, and then I was in stitches a moment later.

D’Arcy Carden and Melanie Field play childhood besties, Gretta and Jo. These two are the best ride-or-die partners in crime I have ever seen. Their sheer love for each other is something to marvel at. Field is a powerhouse on screen. Carden has funny quips in almost every scene. Your eyes tend to find her in the background because she’s always in character no matter what. She also has fabulous scenes with Jacobson; their chemistry is off the charts! When they are together, it’s explosive, and you’ll be left wanting more.

The Verdict

I can honestly talk about this show forever. I haven’t loved something this much in a long time. I actually watched it in its entirety twice! To me, this was like opening a fresh bag of chips. With each piece becoming tastier than the last, and before you know it, you’ve finished the entire bag, and now you need to wait for more.

Everything was so well-done. The fashion, the music, the comedy, the drama. It is exceptionally well-written and clever. You may be wondering, “Are there nods to the movie?” The answer is yes! But they’re not shown awkwardly; it’s more natural. Even the “There’s no crying in baseball” line was done well. And, of course, we get the song! It was filmed in such a beautiful way; I cried! I can’t recommend A League of Their Own enough! It’s a reimagined home run! If you’re a fan of the movie, give it a chance, you may be surprised how much you like it. You can watch A League of Their Own on Prime Video on August 12th.