The Natural

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Finn W Mar 20, 2019 Character - 1. Game - 0. The Natural Levinson's game is played on familiar ground and cliched rules, but above all, it is fair. And that is his self-created window where he gets in from. This unusual journey of a young athlete- or so it seems when it starts up- is authentic and practical. The double edge sword where his method is productive and necessary but not cinematic makes you go back and forth on where you lie in the final scorecard. All the stages and characters that Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) encounters is executed brilliantly by the director Barry Levinson. But mind you, this journey is not gripping all the time. Roger and Phil; the screenwriters, who adapted it from Bernard's novel could have been edited better and made it more thrilling for the viewers. There are very few such moments in the game where we get what we have been craving for. "I am here to play the game" claims Redford and it is a soothing medicine that makes up for all the sweat and blood we go through, which even his first swing or throw could never replace. On terms of performance, Redford is supported magnanimously by Glenn Close whose both character and performance is a sight to behold. This never flinching attitude of Redford can only be shattered by Close's generous watery eyes. Other supporting cast like Robert Duvall and Wilford Brimley are definitely on track although Kim Basinger seems awfully distracted in her cloak of being an enchantress. The film fumbles right before its last act that turns out to be the major disappointment of all, it slows down more than it already was. The Natural is the apt description of the film, what's good about it comes from within, for it clearly isn't going to work harder, a typical sport genre feature. See more

Feb 2, 2019 The best inspiring sports movie ever made! With the best movie character ever portrayed: Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs! And the best movie score ever composed! See more

Draco W Jan 16, 2019 I never watched this back in the day and, watching now, it certainly has a dated sort of style â" you can tell somehow that itâ(TM)s the â~80s even though the events depicted take place in the 1930s. Itâ(TM)s the kind of film where you know that good is going to triumph over evil, that Robert Redford is definitely going to hit the home run that saves the day â" and he does. Itâ(TM)s a picture that pretends to evoke suspense but always goes for the gratifying outcome; by the end, viewers can have no doubt that everything will work out. In that way, itâ(TM)s a fantasy film and there are suggestions that it has loose connections to the legend of King Arthur (the team is called the Knights) as well as Homerâ(TM)s Odyssey (with Darren McGavinâ(TM)s one-eyed bookie as the Cyclops and Robert Prosky as Hades), although the film isnâ(TM)t really overt about this. Moreover, director Barry Levinson decided to change the downbeat ending of Bernard Malamudâ(TM)s novel (which I havenâ(TM)t read but may have on my shelf) to keep Redfordâ(TM)s Roy Hobbs an unadulterated hero at the end of the day. Or perhaps he is adulterated â" we never really find out what happened in the 16 years when he didnâ(TM)t play baseball (he is a star prospect in 1923 but suffers a freak event, courtesy of Barbara Hershey) and claims only to have made mistakes. The script keeps him as a mystery and Redford plays him opaquely (and rather flatly). Even in his relationships with Kim Basinger (evil) and Glenn Close (good) he remains distant and impenetrable (although we assume he eventually connects with the latter). Of course, this film is probably most well loved by baseball fans and a deeper knowledge of the sport and its fabled players might lead to greater enjoyment (at the allusions to real events). As it stands, it is a bit corny, a bit old-fashioned, but you can count on an uplifting heart-warming finale. See more

Harry W Dec 23, 2018 This movie is extremely b-o-r-i-n-g and I cannot understand the positive reviews -- and I usually like baseball and baseball movies! The plot makes no sense, as the Roy Hobbs character (played by Redford) wanders through a series of events that have no connection and no motivation. Robert Redford looks bored, and he is stiff and wooden in the role -- reminds me of the worse parts of his performance in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The other top-name actors, such as Robert Duvall and Glenn Close, try their best but the script gives them nothing to work with. To make matters even works, it is two hours and 18 minutes long!! For a good picture in the baseball genre, try For the Love of the Game (1999). It's a decent (though not great) move, but a least it has a plot that makes sense and reasonable motivations for the characters. See more

Rey S Jul 20, 2018 Greatest baseball movie of all time!

Albus S Mar 1, 2018 I don't fault this movie for its cheesiness, as it wears it so confidently on its pinstripe sleeves. I don't fault this movie for Redford, even though he seems bored out of his mind. I fault this movie because...what is it? What's the point? Roy Hobbs has earned nothing. Literally every single thing that happens to him, whether positive or negative, seems completely magical. So when the movie ends, we've just watched a dude have things complacently happen to him for over 2 hours. Why? WHY?! See more

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The Natural

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