Last night I had the pleasure of introducing my wife, Lyndsay, to the great cinematic masterpiece known as Field of Dreams. I’m sure that many of you have seen this 1989 Kevin Costner film. It is about Ray Kinsella, a farmer who hears a strange voice that leads him to plow under his corn crop to build a baseball field and the adventure that ensues. Lyndsay was familiar with it but had never seen it. It has been probably 10 or so years since I’ve watched Field Dreams. I have always enjoyed the movie, however last night I got a whole lot more out of it than I had previously. I don’t know if it is because I’m older (or because I’m cornier) but more of the funny parts were funny to me this time. And more of the heartfelt parts were moving to me.

The biggest kick that I got out of viewing the movie again was a line that Costner’s character delivered right after completing the baseball field. He and his wife were lying near the pitcher’s mound on a blanket and talking. Kinsella then rose to his feet and looked around at the baseball field that he destroyed his crop to make. He chuckled to himself, gave a large grin and said “I have just created something totally illogical.” He then stood there a moment beaming with pride at his illogical creation.

I am not ashamed to admit that I laughed my head off at that moment. I had heard that line before but I had forgotten it and it completely caught me off guard. This was mostly due to the fact that the rest of the scene was not necessarily humorous. The sheer candor with which he acknowledged his own strange behavior was just hilarious.

I just love those times when I get to watch a movie or a show that I haven’t seemed since I was young. I often find some new humor or other jewel that I had not noticed before.

Josh H.