Dennis Quaid vs Kevin Costner

So I'm sitting here kind of half-watching The Rookie. Disney's making it's pitch for a heartwarming tear-jerker when it hits me: I wonder how much better Field Of Dreams would have been with Dennis Quaid in it. Don't get me wrong, I love Field Of Dreams. It's a great movie for a lot of reasons, but think about it for a minute. Would it have been even better with Dennis Quaid? Watch The Rookie, fast forward it if you want, but stop at the scene when Morris gets called up. Take that emotion and stick it into Field Of Dreams. Wow. If you're a cryer at that movie now (I am, no shame in it!) just think of it with a better actor.

Kevin Costner is perfect for Bull Durham. The movie needs his smugness. Again, that's not an insult. But Costner's wooden and smug play of Crash is perfect for Bull Durham. He's great in Field Of Dreams too (a confused dreamer,) but part of me wonders how the tone of the movie would have changed with someone like Quaid in the role.

<Shrug>

Doug

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Comment by Ken Lee (30/43) on March 30, 2012 at 2:28pm: That scene you talk about ALWAYS makes me bawl. When he calls home and his wife says "You tell me right now Jimmy Morris"! Just a great part of the movie... almost as great as when his dad says, 'I wouldnt have missed this one.' (or whatever it was directly). Holy cow. HOWEVER... Quaid could NEVER be a Kinsella. Sorry, nope. never. I love Quaid Some of his stuff on Ellen is too dang funny, but no way could he have been right for FOD. Just the same, Rev Shaw Moore he was NOT.

Comment by michael schwartz (71) on March 30, 2012 at 2:06pm: I thought Costner was just right in Field of Dreams, and the casting of Burt Lancaster as Doc Graham was a stroke of genius. Note that the photo in my avatar is that of the real Archie "Moonlight" Graham in his New York Giants uniform. If I ever get through a viewing of F.O.D. without shedding a tear, I'll know it's time for a heart transplant.

Comment by Tim Choiniere on March 30, 2012 at 11:13am: This weekend is the timing for my yearly trilogy of The Natural, Bull Durham and Field of Dreams. Last year, League of their Own was on HBO when I finished with my dvds...

I loved Costner in FOD so wouldn't want anybody else at this point, but Quaid may have been good in it. I like the Rookie too.

Comment by Paula Vaughnn on March 30, 2012 at 1:53am: Costner in "Field of Dreams", "Bull Durham" and "For the Love of the Game" ranked him as my all time favorite baseball actor.... But watching Brad Pitt as Biily Beane in "Money Ball", (after reading the book twice) notched him up. Quaid was great in "the Rookie", but not in the same ballpark as Costner in my opinion. It may be the role, acting, script, lighting, sound track or just being a baseball stricken girl, but when I think baseball movies, it is Costner followed by Pitt.

Comment by Craig (17) on March 29, 2012 at 10:06pm: Wow, bold statement Doug! :) I just can't imagine anyone else in Field Of Dreams- it's just too perfect. But your blog does make me want to revisit "The Rookie" and see if I could change my opinion.