Not the Natural

Rating: 5/10 (3 February 2015)

I sometimes wonder if Tony Scott did not have actors such as Denzel Washington to elevate his films how quickly his filmography would be forgotten. No doubt that this director who honed his skills in the Ad World brought over a style of filmmaking that has been copied by others. The fast cuts with many shots lasting just a few seconds, the particular style of lighting, use of music which has all influenced directors like Michael Bay.
However his greatest skill is to make a watchable film with something that does not even resemble a finished script. Here is a tale of a highly prized baseball player who hits a slump and a baseball fan whose life is in turmoil as he loses his job and contact with his son.
De Niro plays the fan who increasingly becomes unhinged and decides to take it out on Snipe's baseball player when he admits he plays for himself and not the team.
The film is slow to get going, the script is half baked and we know that De Niro has anger management issues and its only a matter of time that he will snap and Snipes will become a victim.
But for the acting from De Niro, Snipes, Barkin and Leguizamo this film would be dud rather than just average.