Wonderful Fantasy

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2004)

The Natural, while a departure from Malamud's book is a wonderful fantasy of promise, loss and redemption. Roy Hobbs is everyman, who for a few brief shining moments becomes Superman. The visuals in the movie are wonderful. Remember the shot of Glenn CLose standing in the light as Hobbs found his swing again? Perhaps a point about remembering who you are and where you came from gets you centered again.
Best part for me was the music. Randy Newman's soundtrack is evocative of Aaron Copland and the early period of American music where feeling and imagery were combined with the melody to make a wonderful experience.
One of my favorites.