Plot
When a boy prays for a chance to have a family if the California Angels win the pennant, angels are assigned to make that possible.

Release Year: 1994

Rating: 5.5/10 (11,379 voted)

Director: William Dear

Stars: Danny Glover, Brenda Fricker, Tony Danza

Storyline
Roger who has lost his mother is living separated from his father. As he and his friend J.P. are one of the biggest fans of the Los Angeles baseball team he has got only two dreams: Living together with a real family and let LA win the championship. As he is praying for these two things to happen some angels show up in order to help him - but he is the only one to see them and believe in them. Fortunately the coach of the baseball team sees his abilities and so LA has a run to the finals...

Writers: Dorothy Kingsley, George Wells

Cast:
Danny Glover - George Knox
Brenda Fricker - Maggie Nelson
Tony Danza - Mel Clark
Christopher Lloyd - Al the Boss Angel
Ben Johnson - Hank Murphy
Jay O. Sanders - Ranch Wilder
Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Roger Bomman
Milton Davis Jr. - J.P.
Taylor Negron - David Montagne
Tony Longo - Triscuitt Messmer
Neal McDonough - Whitt Bass
Stoney Jackson - Ray Mitchell
Adrien Brody - Danny Hemmerling
Tim Conlon - Wally
Matthew McConaughey - Ben Williams

Taglines: It Could Happen.

Release Date: 15 July 1994

Filming Locations: Alameda, California, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross: $50,236,831 (USA)

Runtime: 102 min

Trivia:
Through out the movie, JP says "it could happen" 6 times.

Goofs:
Continuity: Al's baseball cap disappears in the dugout during the final game when he sits down to talk to Roger.

Quotes:
[first lines]
JP: Roger, do you believe in heaven?
Roger Bomman: I guess. That's where they said my mom went.

A very cute and charming film

Rating: 9/10

I really do not understand the negative reviews on this film and I never will. People who question the plot are in some serious need of a check up because this was such a wonderful movie. I used to watch it all the time with my grandfather, I grew up in a baseball oriented family and my grandfather and I just adored this movie. I avoided the film for a few years though after he passed away because it would bring up sad memories, but wanting to think of him I bought the movie and I still love it. I love everything this film has to offer. It makes me feel good, it's funny, it's charming, has wonderful characters and makes you believe that anything could happen.

Young foster children Roger and his friend J.P. love to sneak into baseball games of the hopelessly dreadful California Angels. Still in limited contact with his widower father, Roger asks when they will be a family again. His father replies , "I'd say when the Angels win the pennant." Taking his father's words literally, Roger prays for God to help the Angels win. After he prays, a star, unseen by Roger, twinkles in the sky. His wish comes true as real angels help the Angels win and the down on his luck coach George Knox uses him thinking he's a good luck charm. But then he discovers that there may be a little something more to Roger, then opening up his heart to something bigger. He becomes a better coach, the team becomes better naturally and Roger starts to believe not only in angels but love as well.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Roger was so wonderful, he had such heart and put passion into the role. Most child actors are very annoying and play up to the cute factor too much, but if you're telling me that you did not tear up when his father just abandons him in court and he breaks down in Maggie's arm you need to have your heart checked to see if it's beating. His chemistry with Christopher Lloyd was wonderful and they really played off each other well. Danny Glover, how could you not love his character? George Knox is a has-been who has lost any faith that anything could happen, the boys that entered his life just changed it forever. I love everything about this movie, I don't know how anyone couldn't. It's a wonderful movie and if given the fair chance it deserves, the rating should be much higher. After all the angels are always watching.

9/10

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