Ladybugswas panned by critics.[1]It has a 14% approval rating onRotten Tomatoesand 3.6/10 average based on 14 reviews.[4]
Michael Wilmington of theLos Angeles Timeswrote that the film flip-flops on its themes and has the stale, slick, worked-over look of standard studio product.[5]
Jacke Harryas Julie Benson (as Jacke)
In his personal life, Chester is engaged to Bess (Ilene Graff), who has a son, Matthew (Jonathan Brandis), from a previous marriage. Matthew just happens to be a great athlete, but poor grades get him kicked off the soccer team. Chester invites Matthew to watch the Ladybugs practice and to get some tips. Matthew has a crush on Kimberly from school and it is partly due to this that Chester persuades him to dress like a girl and play for the team under the name Martha.With only Chester, Matthew and Julie knowing the secret of Marthas identity, the team wins the rest of its games to get to the championship game. Kimberly makes friends with Martha, not knowing she is in fact Matthew.
ThenLos Angeles DodgersmanagerTommy Lasordahas a cameo, as doBlake Clarkand longtime Dangerfield friendChuck McCann.
Vincent CanbyofThe New York Timeswrote: Even when the material is feeble, as it is here, Mr. Dangerfield can sometimes be funny.[6]
Johna Stewart-Bowden as Sally Anne Welfelt (as Johna Stewart)
Paramount struggled with how to market the film and considered changing the title, as it clashed with Dangerfields image as a profane comic.[1]The film grossed almost US$15 million in the US and Canada.[3]
Chester Lee (Rodney Dangerfield) is desperate for a promotion at work and some respect from his boss. To impress his boss, he claims to have been a good soccer player in his youth and is badgered into coaching a girls team called theLadybugs. Dragging his assistant Julie (Jacke Harry) along as assistant coach, Chester figures the gig easy as the Ladybugs, sponsored by his company, are adynasty, having dominated previous seasons. If he can get this team to a championship, he will get the promotion. Unfortunately, only one player has returned for the new season. The new team, which includes the bosss daughter, Kimberly (Vinessa Shaw), are clueless, make a dreadful start to the season and the boss is less than impressed.
Jonathan Brandisas Matthew / Martha
Jennifer Frances Lee as Carmelita Chu
Shooting took place from July through September 1991 in and aroundDenver, Colorado.[2]
Crystal Cooke as Nancy Larimer (as LaCrystal Cooke)
The Ladybugs go down 3-0 in the first half. At halftime, Matthew reveals to Kimberly and the rest of the team that he is Martha. His honesty fires the team up and with Chesters encouragement, Kimberly scores the winning goal on apenalty kick. As the Ladybugs win the championship, Chester gets his promotion. Bess and Chester get married while Matthew and Kimberly begin dating. Chester is now managing the companys girls softball team, where the entire team are boys dressed as girls. Chester says to the audience I finally got some respect.
Randall May as Championship Soccer trainer
This article is licensed under theGNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Ladybugs (film).
Just before the championship game, Bess finds out that Matthew has been dressing as a girl to play. She becomes angry with Chester, making him drop Matthew from the team. Kimberly, who has not been playing well, is also dropped on the request of Chesters boss.
Vanessa Monique Rossel as Tina Velez
is a 1992 Americansportscomedy filmstarringRodney Dangerfieldand directed bySidney J. Furie. Dangerfield plays aDenverbusinessman who takes over a girls soccer team that the company he works for sponsors. The film also starsJacke Harryas his assistant coach,Ilene Graffas his girlfriend,Jonathan Brandisas his girlfriends son, andVinessa Shawas his bosss daughter.