The Natural (1984)

Very well executed

So much average

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Fantastic!

"The Natural" is a strange move by any sense of the imagination. One minute, it can be as serious as any movie ever made. The next minute, an outfielder crashes through the wall, dies, and has his ashes spread over the field in a later game. Despite the oddities that pop up here and there, though, "The Natural" remains a classic for one simple reason: it will move you emotionally in the end.For a basic plot summary, "The Natural" tells the story of Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford), a young pitcher who seems to have the world on a string on his way to the major leagues. When a freak accident takes him out of the game for many years, though, he comes back a wily, grizzled veteran just hoping for another chance. He gets that chance with the Knights, coached by Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley). While figures such as the team owner (Robert Prosky) and prominent sports writer Max Mercy (Robert Duvall) want to see him fail, Hobbs shows the type of perseverance that legends are made of.Like I said in the opening, "The Natural" can be a really strange movie at times. It's almost like director Barry Levinson doesn't quite understand how strange his dramatic tone shifts were as the film rolls along. While some view this as quirky and giving the movie its own style, I see it as a negative (the only reason it doesn't get my full five stars and vault into "Field of Dreams" territory).That being said, "The Natural" does more than enough things right to still remain a classic movie. Certain sequences (striking out The Whammer (Joe Don Baker), "pick me out a winner, Bobby", etc.) are now etched into iconic film & baseball lore. Then, of course, there is that ending. I don't care how cheesy you might have thought the movie up until that point was, but if that final scene doesn't move you to tears, you probably have a stone in place of a heart. When it comes to "greatest single scene in a baseball movie of all-time", Hobbs' final at-bat probably takes home the prize.One must also comment on the music of "The Natural", as that is part of the reason why it resonates on such an emotional level. I don't think I could name too many soundtracks that top this one. The main theme is now a mainstay, and it seems like all the scenes in the film are backed by the perfect instrumentals.Overall, "The Natural" is a slice of "baseball Americana", if not a perfect one. There are moments that will probably make you shake your head out of weirdness, but more often than not you will find yourself falling for Roy Hobbs and his quest for the American dream...baseball style.

Of course I love the scene at the end where Robert Redford's fated Roy Hobbs wins the all-important pennant game by smashing the baseball into the floodlights. It is one of the great scenes of American sporting cinema.But my favourite scene is previously when Glenn Close as his genuine love interest, as opposed to the evil character of a modern Morgan la Fay, so well-played by Kim Basinger, stands up in Wrigley Field magically willing him to break his poor batting run. Her character tranfuses strength into him, giving that scene an Arthurian, chivalric resonance. But then so has the whole film that glorious mythic quality. I am also thinking of Field of Dreams, here. What is it about baseball which so lends itself to films of mythic power?In this film some elements of its success can be readily identified: Barry Levinson's direction, the star power of the actors and, of critical importance, the power of Randy Newman's score. But then it also has a magic over all that, unanticipated by its makers.

The photography is what film schools could only dream of. The acting is brilliant...with dozens of all-time memorable lines!! The directing is so detailed and so perfect, it illustrates EXACTLY how athlete's from around the world, of all generations, dream their greatness would be realized and remembered! It captures the very essence of sports and the extremely complex character that all great athletes possess. There are only 5 sports movies that have accomplished this: (the others are: Rocky, Hoosiers, & Chariots Of Fire & Raging Bull)! In all...Barry Levinson and Robert Redford created a MASTERPIECE. More that just baseball - a story of the difference between good and evil. The courage that lies within each of us and the opportunity to shine through in one brief moment. There is not a single character out of place -Performance-Wise: Robert Redford is fantastic in the lead role. The legendary actor delivers one of his best performances in here. Glenn Close is amazingly restrained. Kim Basinger is impressive. Bobby Duvall is dependable, as always. Robert Prosky is quite good. Others lend good support.

This movie was pure garbage.The end was idiotic BS.It was not only a waste of my time. I would of rather been sitting in a dentist chair having my teeth pulled then watch this crap but I feel like my IQ dropped 20 points by watching this trash.I have never been a Redford fan but quit honestly this is as bad as Barefoot in the Park.Which i consider a top three worst movie of all time but i actually wrap all Redford films into one when it comes to bad movies. I would rather list his good movies . That list is much shorter then the list of his stinkers.But again the only movie he ever made i enjoyed was Brubaker.I would not wish The Natural on my worst enemy. They should show this film in prison as a punishment.