Favorite Movie Scenes (Part 2)

The Sandlot - Squints Makes That Money

This movie was a childhood favorite of mine, and until a few weeks ago I hadn’t seen it since I was about 12 years old. I was pretty scared that it wasn’t going to hold up, and that any admiration of it I had from my youth would be demolished due to a recent viewing. But hot damn, that movie is one of the greatest things to ever happen in this world.

Squints has spent three summers admiring the pool lifeguard Wendy Preffercorn (Marley Shelton) and has had enough. No more hiding his young boners in shame, he was going to make a move. He goes to the diving board at the deep end, waves to Wendy, and then jumps in. At first you think this is a desperate attempt at impressing her, but it’s far from it, although very much so desperate. Once it’s realized he can’t swim in the deep end and is drowning, Wendy jumps in to his rescue and scoops him out. He’s not breathing so she starts to perform CPR. The crowd gathered around the scene shout encouraging statements, hoping little Squints will pop back to life. The music is subtle but grows and grows with the tension of the idea of Squints possibly dying, but cuts off as Squints looks into the camera and gives one of the biggest, goofiest smiles signaling his deviant plan (the second this happens is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen in film). The crowd is dumbfounded and steps back muttering a confused, “What?” in unison, and Squints pulls Wendy in for a kiss while “This Magic Moment” kicks on. She is disgusted and repulsed and kicks all the kids out, but last I heard she and Squints got married and had nine kids, so I say "good move sir!"