Television

‘A League of Their Own’ (2022) review: New stories and characters; same heart and laughs

This used to be their playground.

August 10, 2022

A League of Their Own is one of the most beloved sports movies of all time. The 1992 classic is based on the on the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Praised by critics and audiences, it has been the source of quotable lines and memorable moments. Its popularity even led to a short lived 1993 television series.

Prime Video’s announcement that they were going to attempt television series was met with mixed feelings. While there is some excitement in seeing what would be done with the story, there was also some trepidation regarding how well it would translate in 2022. Some of these questions were answered by co-creators Will Graham and Abbi Jacobson who said the new show would expand on issues the original did not.

This becomes apparent quickly in Prime’s A League of Their Own. There is a moment in the movie involving a Black woman, but due to the segregated time the film takes place in and the story being told, there is nothing else. One of the main characters in the upcoming series is Max (Chante Adams) a Black woman who dreams of playing baseball despite what others, including her mother, expect of her.

The show also explores the lives of queer women in the (AAGPBL). Taking place in the 1940s, the show deals with sexual awakenings. There is a sense of discovery, acceptance, and regret that is not seen in more modern settings. A League of Their Own does an excellent job of telling stories about people while still handling an issue that was very sensitive during the period.

The most enduring parts of the original are thanks to its strong cast of characters. It was a large cast in which no one was lost in the shuffle. The Prime series also has a number of women with distinctive characteristics. Much like the movie, there are a number of funny moments woven into its narrative. It is a worthy successor to the much loved film.