Baseball Movies Don't Come Better

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2005)

Barring the darker portion of the film where the protagonist is shot by a wayward female, this is a great film for anyone of any age. It has adultish stuff in the background but does not tamper with the game. In a time when baseball is plagued with the problem of steroid use this movie makes clear right and wrong. A young man starts out to become a player and his career is seemingly cut short. He resurfaces again only to meet resistance from a second-rate team. His character and attitude allow him to take the field and that is what a great story is all about. Second chances, beating the odds, and of course, great women played by Glenn Close, no less. I love the clothes, the scenery and the directing. A remake of this film would not be possible, as Redford probably shows his best here. Perhaps the most important message is that baseball should not be tampered with, by anyone. After the Chicago Black Sox (see: Eight Men Out) it was probably difficult to see sports in the same light again. This movie probably did much to repair that image, although it has been many years since then, the things that make it great don't change. The crack of the bat and the speed of the throw. Even if you only marginally like baseball, you will agree this movie is top notch. This movie is to baseball players as To Kill A Mockingbird is to lawyers. It is just a movie, it didn't really happen, but maybe someday you'll see someone shatter all the nighttime lights at a ballpark. The Natural makes us believe so.