The Natural

source: The Natural

Trailer—The Natural

The Natural

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?!

One of my all time favorites. Everything about this movie appears authentic. From the time period, to the baseball scenes. These guys really look like a baseball team. Redford is low-key and stoic, but he hits just the right note for the character. Everybody else, especially Robert Duvall and Wilford Brimley, are fantastic. A touching story, without being hokey. You get the feeling you are watching something mystical and magical along with all the characters in the movie, and it is played with just the right note. Thrilling and inspiring. A well-made, well-acted film.

I really enjoyed watching this movie. It seems like the very embodiment of the Hollywood cliche - a noble hero overcoming difficulty to achieve his dream...but somehow, The Natural manages to pull it off in a very un-glamorized way. Take the hero - he's 35 years old! It just seems refreshing not to always have a dashing young fellow of twenty as the main character. And then - an ulcerated stomach? What kind of an obstacle is that? Not a Hollywood one, I'll tell you that. This hero is actually believable - and Robert Redford plays him handsomely. He makes Roy Hobbs a real person, and a gentleman. I recommend The Natural for any Robert Redford fan, baseball fan - and anyone who just wants to see a neat, entertaining movie with a main character you can really root for.