Bucking for a promotion at work, Rodney Dangerfield (as Chester Lee) brags about his soccer prowess; so, his boss assigns him coach for "The Ladybugs", an inept girls soccer team. Mr. Dangerfield knows little about soccer, and less about coaching the team; so, he persuades girlfriend's sporting son Jonathan Brandis (as Matthew) to join the team, in drag. Donning a wig to become "Martha", Mr. Brandis becomes the team's star "girl" player. How long can this deception last?
Promotion as "A Comedy with Balls" gives away the film's big wit; of course, there are several jokes about testicles. Dangerfield and assistant Jackée Harry (as Julie Benson) can be much funnier than they are in this movie. The problem, perhaps, is that Dangerfield is "toned down" to appeal to a younger audience. Otherwise, it's difficult to believe the situation herein. Brandis has a non-gender specific appeal; he is best in a scene entertaining a "fellow" pretty soccer player, Vinessa Shaw (as Kimberly). Watch Brandis change between "Matthew" and "Martha" very quickly, with a cool stairway trick.
There are some (admittedly straw-grasping, here) admirable messages for younger girls: for example, self-conscious "Penny Pester" is made to feel pretty; and, the team is given some "you can do it" (despite being girls) confidence. However, it's difficult to believe a high school teenager would join a girls soccer team to either get close to a girl, or please a prospective step-father. And, a character's reaction to the farce is incomprehensible (" corrupt my son!", "Go to your room!"). Worse yet is a "changing room" scene with commits a comedy sin; it's offensive without being funny.
*** Ladybugs (3/27/92) Sidney J. Furie ~ Rodney Dangerfield, Jonathan Brandis, Jackée Harry
Promotion as "A Comedy with Balls" gives away the film's big wit; of course, there are several jokes about testicles. Dangerfield and assistant Jackée Harry (as Julie Benson) can be much funnier than they are in this movie. The problem, perhaps, is that Dangerfield is "toned down" to appeal to a younger audience. Otherwise, it's difficult to believe the situation herein. Brandis has a non-gender specific appeal; he is best in a scene entertaining a "fellow" pretty soccer player, Vinessa Shaw (as Kimberly). Watch Brandis change between "Matthew" and "Martha" very quickly, with a cool stairway trick.
There are some (admittedly straw-grasping, here) admirable messages for younger girls: for example, self-conscious "Penny Pester" is made to feel pretty; and, the team is given some "you can do it" (despite being girls) confidence. However, it's difficult to believe a high school teenager would join a girls soccer team to either get close to a girl, or please a prospective step-father. And, a character's reaction to the farce is incomprehensible (" corrupt my son!", "Go to your room!"). Worse yet is a "changing room" scene with commits a comedy sin; it's offensive without being funny.
*** Ladybugs (3/27/92) Sidney J. Furie ~ Rodney Dangerfield, Jonathan Brandis, Jackée Harry