A Sports Classic

Rating: 9/10 (7 August 2012)

Robert Redford shines in this classic tale of baseball mixed with attempted murder, betrayal, testing of faith and survival. Redford plays Roy Hobbs who aspires to be a Major League player after discovering he has a great pitching talent at a young age. Roy's dreams are ended when a mysterious woman (Barbara Hershey) shoots him in a murder attempt and then she commits suicide. Years later, Roy takes up his dreams again and heads to the Minor League team, the New York Knights who are the worst team in their league. Eventually Roy is faced with a repeat of his past when another mysterious woman (Kim Basinger) enters the picture. I normally don't like sports movies, but 'The Natural' is a huge exception. Robert Redford is one of my favorite actors and he does not disappoint in this film. He has the charm and strength that Roy has, but he plays on Roy's weaknesses so well that he evokes the sympathy that he gets at the opening of the film. If you are into sports, "The Natural' is just the one for you.