Charlie Brown is widely accepted as the "lovable loser," being known for his holiday specials that air on television, which were widely popular during the 1960s. In the many films he is featured in, Charlie Brown is frequently seen suffering, usually as a result of his lack of confidence or misfortune. In the film, "Charlie Brown All-Stars," Brown is acting out of character. He is being very proactive, trying to avoid the reality of failing. The short movie is taking place during the summer, and Charlie Brown and his friends are playing baseball for fun, but it isn't much fun when they keep losing. Characters like Lucy are leading advocates to quit baseball when they have to play with Charlie Brown. According to her, he is the reason the team keeps losing, and as a result, he is driving the team away.
The team does end up disbanding, and this leads Charlie Brown into a bit of depression. He is very upset because he just wants to spend time with his friends, and he comes up with the idea of trying to get his team into a baseball league, where they will receive uniforms. Charlie Brown reveals this idea to his friends, and they immediately jump on board with the hopes of receiving a uniform. The team begins to practice, and Charlie Brown receives notice that unless he cuts all the girls and his dog from the team, he won't receive any uniforms. Unsure what to do, Brown reveals the harsh reality to his brother Linus. Linus suggests that he should be transparent with his team, but Charlie Brown knows that they won't play if he is honest. He decides that he will stick to the white lie in order for his team to keep practicing, knowing that they won't end up receiving uniforms.
They play their first game and Charlie Brown is taking the role of the coach. He is hyping up his teammates and is empowering them to do well. The team is playing unusually well and are very close to winning. Their last player ends up being Charlie Brown, and all he needs to do his hit the ball and make it home. Brown misses the first two swings, and his team is very anxious. Charlie Brown finally hits the ball and manages to steal two bases! They are so close to winning, until Charlie makes the fatal mistake of trying to steal to home. In doing this, he ends up being stricken out and his team loses. His team in enraged, and relay the fact that they can't wait to receive their uniforms, or else they wouldn't be playing in the first place. Charlie Brown, full of guilt, reveals that they won't be receiving uniforms, and his team storms away.
This story is extremely similar to The Shield of Achilles, and the difference in perspective. In this film, Charlie Brown only has good intentions and wants them to win so badly. He was actively doing everything he could to try and win, and to keep the team together. But from the perspective of Lucy, she believes that Charlie Brown wants them to lose, and is doing nothing to help the team win. There are clearly two difference narratives being told here, and Linus ends up clearing the fog by providing Lucy and the rest of the team insight into what Charlie Brown has been up to. He reveals that all the girls and dog would have had to been cut from the team, and that Charlie Brown was only looking out for the best interest in his team. In learning this fact, Charlie Browns team ends up creating him his own personal uniform, in support of all his actions.
What an interesting comparison!
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