In my teen years I did play on an organized basketball team. It wasn't a Bar league or industrial. Not affiliated with a High school either . I was drafted into the Church of The latter day Saints league. I played for the Mormons. The Queens Ward Warriors. How did this happened? My neighbor saw me playing basketball at the nearby park and saw my rebounding skills. He needed players on his team. I was recruited with one provision. Never tell them that I was of another faith or they would throw me out of the league. My Latter Day neighbor, who was the coach, was breaking a commandment. To soften the lie I told the Deacon in charge of the league, that I was converting soon. Ladybugs is a cute out of the ordinary comedy walking a fine line between children and adult situations. Cross dressing and Tween girl's self esteem mixed with the off color comedy of Rodney Dangerfield. This all adds up to a family comedy? Rodney Dangerfield, the comic who never gets any respect, plays a company man Chester Lee hoping for a higher position in the firm. To impress his boss, Dave Mullen (Tom Parks) Chester claimed that in his youth he was an excellent soccer player. Mullen suggest that he coach his daughters soccer team, The Ladybugs. Mullen tells Chester if the Ladybugs reach the championship his promotion is guaranteed. Unfortunately most of the last years squad did not return for the upcoming season. The repeat of a successful repeat is in jeopardy. Chester with his assistant Julie (Jackee Harry) are left with clueless nonathletic girls including the bosses daughter the Kimberly (Vinessa Shaw). On Chester's personal home front. he is engaged to Bess (Ilene Graff). Bess has a son Matthew (Jonathan Brandis) from a previous marriage. Due to poor grades Matthew is kicked off his soccer team. Chester has an Idea to boost the talent of his bunch of lovable losers . He dresses Matthew in girls clothes complete with wig to create Martha, the girl's soccer superstar. When I think of this movie two things standout. Rodney can be clean and funny and second the tragic suicide of Jonathan Brandis. Their chemistry was so natural on the screen They didn't seem as disjointed as in Rodney's other movies being a parent i.e. Easy Money and Back to School. Rodney does have his classic share of retorts and one-liners to keep you entertained. Coach Chester,Drag footballer Martha and the rest of the girls kick their way towards a winning season. As for my Mormon experience on the basketball team I was approached by a Minister who never saw me attend a service and asked, "What part of the Church do you belong?" And I thought for a moment and answered , "The religious Part!"
Review of Ladybugs
