Review of A League of Their Own

A present-day reunion of WWII-era women's league baseball players that brings back fond memories of America's Golden Era to the now-aged ladies who blazed the trail. Director Penny Marshall's nostalgic valentine to war-time tomboys puts the squeeze on us right from the start (with elderly actress Lynn Cartwright dubbed with Geena Davis' voice, to ill effect). Marshall wants to make sure we don't miss any of her hat-tricks, some of which (including a urination gag) that misfire completely. The cast of high-spirited gals (and Tom Hanks as their coach) are alternately lively, wonderful and excruciating. Rosie O'Donnell is a real chore stomping about on the field, but Geena Davis and Lori Petty (as competitive sisters) are genuinely charming, shrewdly cast and nearly flawless (a movie about them alone would be worth watching). The film isn't nearly as hearty as it wants to be (it has a mechanical engine driving it), but the put-on sentiment may hook some. Madonna's supporting performance is one of her least self-conscious, and she contributes a moving song, "This Used to Be My Playground". **1/2 from ****