Field Of Dreams Themes

Field of Dreams, directed by Phil Alden Robinson, is a heartwarming film about Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, his willingness to take chances, and his cornfield. Ray as well as many of the other characters find faith, redemption, and second chances. Through flawless editing, well-written screenplay, excellent cinematography, and the superb use of setting and costumes, Field of Dreams creates a powerful film that can identify with people of all ages.
The seamless editing throughout Field of Dreams helps the viewer to identify faith and redemption as the theme in a subtle way. The opening scene of the film is a montage of the main character, Ray Kinsella, growing up and he narrates it; giving insight into his relationship with his father and the love of baseball they once shared. It also identifies “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Ray’s admiration for him, and Jackson’s unfair barring from the league for the rest of his life. This adds to the theme because it is evident in this montage as well as later within the film that Ray wishes to reconcile and make amends with his father who has already passed.
The excellent screenplay helps to identify the symbolism of the baseball field and make the theme of faith and redemption evident. The baseball field symbolizes missed opportunities as well as second chances. “Shoeless”
The use of misty, dream-like lighting creates an ethereal setting for the baseball field as well as the cornfield behind it, symbolizing heaven. The scene where Joe leaves for the first time and exits through the cornfield adds to this. The lighting creates a very dream-like essence to his exit. Another scene enhanced by lighting is when the players are on the field late. Everything around them for miles is in complete darkness but, in stark contrast, the bright lights of the field drawing the focus of the