Kevin Costnerhas a long history with Westerns as an actor and director, but his favorite movie surprisingly comes from a completely different genre. While he has acted in movies across several mediums since 1981,Costner’s Western movies and TV showsremain his most well-known works. Despite its mediocre critical reception,Costner’s Western epicHorizonis a streaming success, and the seriesYellowstone, which he directed and starred in, has become one of the most popular TV shows of the past decade.
Costner often directs and acts in emotionally driven stories, with characters undergoing a personal journey. InMcFarland, USA,he plays a mentor determined to redeem himself. InDances With Wolves, which Costner both directed and starred in, his character is a conflicted lieutenant who begins to sympathize with the other side. In the critically acclaimedField of Dreams, Costner plays Ray, a farmer who builds a baseball field in his cornfield after hearing a mysterious voice.Kevin Costner’s best moviesoften feature themes of self-discovery or the appreciation of life, which may be a decision inspired by his favorite film.
Kevin Costner’s Favorite Movie Is It’s A Wonderful Life
It’s A Wonderful Life & Its Source Material Have Inspired Several Modern Movies
George, the protagonist inIt’s a Wonderful Life,contemplates suicide before his guardian angel shows him the impact he has had on the world. It is loosely based on Charles Dickens' novel,A Christmas Carol, in which the miserable Scrooge learns to find joy.It’s a Wonderful Life’s endingshows George, like Scrooge, embracing his life and loved ones, and Kevin Costnermentioned the film onThe Rich Eisen Show, saying “there’s something endearing about that movie.” AsIt’s a Wonderful Lifeis Kevin Costner’s favorite movie,it is understandable that his characters often have similar journeys to Scrooge and George.
Just asA Christmas Carolhas inspired numerous adaptations and interpretations, the positive message ofIt’s a Wonderful Lifehas resonated with modern audiences. Despite being released in 1946,It’s a Wonderful Lifehas a 94% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoesand is widely regarded asthe most inspirational film of all time. The story and underlying themes of love and the value of life inIt’s a Wonderful Lifehave inspired many unexpected movies and TV shows, including episodes ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel Air,Shrek: Forever After,Donnie Darko, and Kevin Costner’s baseball movie,Field of Dreams.
How Kevin Costner’s Field Of Dreams Was Inspired By It’s A Wonderful Life
Costner Described Field Of Dreams As Potentially “This Generation’s It’s A Wonderful Life”
It’s a Wonderful LifeandField of Dreamsshare more than just their themes, as both movies also deal with characters' family relationships and have a supernatural element, withField of Dreamscontaining ghosts, andIt’s a Wonderful Lifehaving an angel. Archie “Moonlight” Graham’s storyline is also similar to George’s, as Moonlight realizes that by becoming a doctor, he was valued by the people who needed him most. LikeIt’s a Wonderful Life,Field of Dreamsis considered one of the best movies of the 1980s, with legendaryfilm critic Roger Ebert givingField of Dreamsa perfect score.
Every Kevin Costner Sports Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
Kevin Costner has acted in eight sports movies over the course of his career, and they can be ranked from worst to best by overall quality.
Costner suggested to Rich Eisen thatField Of Dreamscould be “this generation’sIt’s a Wonderful Life"despite its Christmas theme. Costner explained, “It’s really about things that go unsaid between fathers and sons, and that’s pretty biblical, right?” which likely means that this aspect of family relationships can be a universal experience. Both movies explore this experience in a way that suits their time.It’s a Wonderful Lifeis iconic, but its storytelling may not work in a modern movie, while its underlying theme has stayed relatable. As this isKevin Costner’s favorite movie, it is understandable that he is still finding new ways to share its message.
Field of Dreams
Cast
Based on a novel by W. P. Kinsella, Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, a farmer living in Iowa who one evening begins hearing a mysterious voice urging him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. An avid baseball fan, Ray takes on the project in hopes of honoring his late father. Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster also star.
