a_chinn Wonderful bit of Americana told through that most American of sports, baseball. Director Barry Levinson fashions a mythic tale about an over-the-hill 1920s baseball player, Roy Hobbs, finally getting his shot at the big leagues with the fictional New York Knights. Robert Redford plays Hobbs, himself in many ways a stereotypical All- American boy. Hobbs seemingly comes out of nowhere and no one knows where this talented player came from or why it took him so long to appear in the majors. Hobbs quickly gains fame an attention, and while on his journey faces many challenges; tempted by seductresses, facing down dark corrupting forces, and the lure of money and fame. As with most American myths and tropes, they have their roots in other cultures. The mythology presented in "The Natural" seems heavily influenced by Greek Mythology, with Hobbs as a Homer-like hero on a journey to find home. Kim Basinger and Barbara Hershey plays a sirens. Darren McGavin and Robert Duvall plays dark, corrupting underworld god-like figures manipulating events. Glenn Close represents the home that Hobbs is seeking. Other actors of note in the film include Wilford Brimley as the team manager and Richard Farnsworth as an assistant coach. There's also strong supporting performances from Robert Prosky, Michael Madsen, Mike Starr, and Joe Don Baker in a small role that's a thinly veiled analogue for Babe Ruth. Randy Newman also deserve note for his beautiful score, as does director of photography Caleb Deschane. When a baseball smashes the ballpark lights in an explosion of sparks and rousing music are unforgettable and gorgeous. Barry Levinson has made some brilliant, including "Diner," "Avalon," and TV series like "OZ" and "Homicide: Life on the Street," but I think this film may be my favorite of all of his fine work.

phasetrek This movie reminded me a lot about the movie "Cujo" in one way. I'd read the book ("Cujo") before seeing the film. And the film's upbeat ending was a far cry better than the dreary end of the book. Likewise with this film ("The Natural") - except that I saw the movie first.A few minutes ago (and for the first time), I just finished reading the novel by Bernard Malamud. The novel, for the most part, was a pretty good read. But I absolutely hated the ending - totally different than the way the movie ended. In fact, I hated its ending so much that, tomorrow, I'm going to donate the book to my library (fighting my first urge to burn it or toss it out with my weekly trash pickup). I will *never* want to read it again.But the movie? I've watched it several times. And I will no doubt watch it time and time again ... especially now, to take the bad taste out of my mouth left by the novel. Screenplay writers Roger Towne & Phil Dusenberry did a splendid job of transforming Malamud's novel into a hopeful saga of courage & honor with an exceptionally satisfying climax. And Robert Redford, et al, made the Oscar-nominated saga believable and palatable at the same time.So, watch the movie ... but avoid the novel like the plague.

zkonedog "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.

mike david 1. Discover your talent/gift, but also work hard to develop it 2. Beware of women when you succeed and make it 3. When life sidetracks you, make a comeback 4. Believe in yourself and your talent 5. It's never too late to live your dreams and up to your potential 6. Beware of the friends you keep 7. Love and family are more important than fame and fortune if it means loneliness or health risks; know when to walk away. 8. Remember what your father taught you 9. Having the right woman by your side who loves you for who you are is better than the wrong one who only loves you for the money and fame 10. Fame and fortune have a way of changing people from their home grown roots; remember where you came from.These are ten tips of wisdom contained in and taught in the Natural. Not many films go for worldly wisdom in such a natural, easy to follow, and realistic way, but the Natural builds its' whole story and characters around it. This film has heart, superb acting, lines you can memorize, and is lots of fun if you're a baseball fan.It also has an incredible, star studded cast of great actors: Redford, Duvall, Barbara Hershey, Kim Basinger, Glenn Close, and at least three other lesser known, but well respected actors. It's as much about baseball as it is about how to gain and handle success.