Ladybugs (1992)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

Sidney J. Furie

Writer (WGA):

Curtis Burch (written by)

Release Date:

27 March 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sport

Tagline:

Getting respect is one big goal!

Plot:

To climb the corporate ladder to success, a guy agrees to coach the company's all girl soccer team with the help of his secret weapon: his fiancee's son.

Plot Keywords:

Soccer | Stepfather Stepson Relationship | Dressing Room | Mother Son Relationship | Forbidden Love

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Rodney Dangerfield	...	Chester Lee
Jackée Harry	...	Julie Benson - Assistant Coach (as Jackée)
Jonathan Brandis	...	Matthew / Martha
Ilene Graff	...	Bess
Vinessa Shaw	...	Kimberly Mullen
Tom Parks	...	Dave Mullen
Jeanetta Arnette	...	Glynnis Mullen (as Jeannetta Arnette)
Crystal Cooke	...	Nancy Larimer (as LaCrystal Cooke)
Jennifer Frances Lee	...	Carmelita Chu
Vanessa Monique Rossel	...	Tina Velez
Johna Stewart-Bowden	...	Sally Anne Welfelt (as Johna Stewart)
Jandi Swanson	...	Penny Pester
Nancy Parsons	...	Coach Annie
Blake Clark	...	Coach Bull
Tommy Lasorda	...	Coach Cannoli

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Spain:T | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Denver, Colorado, USA

Company:

Ladybugs

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Chester and Matthew argue about the team, a boom operator is reflected in thecar door as Matthew closes it.

Quotes:

Matthew: We get along great, we laugh together, we like the same music, the same sports, we get along just great.
Soda Shop Counterman: Then what's the problem?
Matthew: She don't know I'm a boy.

Movie Connections:

References Psycho (1960)

Soundtrack:

Great Balls of Fire

Jackée Harry? Jonathan Brandis in drag? I must be in heaven!

Well, I've either died and gone to heaven, or just died. I can't really tell at this point. "Ladybugs" is an odd film. How could I have sat down and watched this film on three non-consecutive occasions? I guess the allure of Rodney Dangerfield is like a horrible, twisted automobile accident. No matter how much you want to move along, you just can't turn away.

Jackée Harry's voice alone would make any man flee the area, and never return. Tommy Lasroda appears near the midpoint of the film to remind us that he should never be cast in feature films EVER AGAIN. Then factor in Jonathan Brandis...as a girl! No, not just Jonathan Brandis. HE'S ALSO DRESSED LIKE A GIRL. Go now. While you can. Run for your life.

Once you watch a bit, you'll be hooked. I'm warning you.

Dangerfield is no threat. If you've seen this film, or "Easy Money" or "Back To School" or anything else he's been in, you know his role. "A wise-cracking (blank)". Here, the blank is filled with "soccer coach". If you're seeing it for the sole purpose of "The Rod", go see "Meet Wally Sparks". A much better effort.

Sometime in the near future, a professor from a large university in Norway will release a thesis paper drawing parallels between "Ladybugs" and it's Hollywood soccer film equal, "The Big Green". The paper will go on to comment that Hollywood cannot make a decent "Big Budget Soccer Picture", and films of the sort should be left to the much more soccer-movie-inclined Icelandic film producers. Just a prediction.

Please take heed. This movie is like a cult. You watch it once, and it will never let go. You'll have to call in sick to work, and cut out your social life because of this film. "Ladybugs" will attach itself to you an never let go...until your eventual demise. Then it will move on to it's next unsuspecting victim that says, "Hmm...Rodney Dangerfield, Jackée Harry, AND Jonathan Brandis...sounds good..."