My Favorite Baseball Movie!

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2020)

The Natural is my favorite baseball movie beating the likes of Field of Dreams or Bull Durham, and I love those movies as well. Could it be the iconic Randy Newman theme that brings me shivers every time I hear it at a baseball stadium? Could it be the stacked cast that includes Robert Redford and Glenn Close? Could it be the impressive direction from Barry Levinson? Or how about baseball being played with a religious overtone? Whatever is the real reason, its safe to say that I adore this movie with all of my heart. I've seen it a good number of times and it never grows old. Ever since hearing the theme played at an independent baseball stadium, my dad showed this movie to me and I'm glad he did.
The film is based off a fictional story from Bernard Malamud. Barry Levinson, who smoothly directed the film, always claimed that the movie was not a direct adaptation of the novel. Many naysayers of the film criticized the film for not being faithful to the book. I have never read the book myself and I am not sure if I want to after falling in love with the movie. Apparently, the ending is vastly different. I consider the film's ending to be more open-ended and could be interpreted in a variety of ways. I liked that! I believe screenwriters Roger Towne and Phil Dusenberry created plenty of magic in their script.
Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is a middle-aged baseball player that came out of nowhere to lead the struggling 1930's baseball team, the New York Knights to the pennant. Years earlier, he was a rising star pitcher that was discovered by journalist Max Mercy (Robert Duvall). On a train ride heading to his new future, he meets the mysterious Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey) who has a thing for athletes who claim to be the very best....and that thing is shooting them. Hobbs career is in limbo after his injury but appears 15 years later with a magical bat made from a tree that was struck by lightning. Along with helping Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley) take his team to the pennant, he also has to face schemes about controlling the team and his ex-lover, Iris Gaines (Glenn Close).
Robert Redford gives a very subtle, but commanding performance. There is no shouting or no fiery speech, but his presence keeps your eyes glued to him throughout. Glenn Close likewise did an admirable job. She was actually nominated for an Academy Award and was part of the film's "controversial" ending. No spoilers, though. The rest of the cast is excellent. Robert Redford as the scheming journalist, Wilford Brimley who is a great manager, Darren McGavin as the greedy, slimy person who wants complete control of the team.
Critics who opposed this film (not too many, thankfully) have issues with the religious overtones. I think these overtones worked incredibly well with the film. Baseball is a healing sport, a sport of unity. Look at baseball right after 9/11. After the current coronavirus pandemic, people will look to baseball for healing. I knew from the beginning where Hobbs uses a bat from a tree that was struck by lightning and where his father died of a heart attack what kind of film we were getting. Of course, the themes hold up throughout the film. Glenn Close's Ira Haines appearing in what seems to be a divine, white light and the film's ending. Randy Newman's score also has an aura of religion about it. Caleb Deschanel, who is in charge of the film's photography, did very good work with the camera capturing these overtones.
Baseball is America's pastime and The Natural gives us reasons why it is. Some people may find the film corny or unrealistic considering the type of home runs Hobbs hit, but not me. I found it to be a story about a man whose life is baseball and believes it's never too late to achieve his dreams. If I had a power bat like Hobbs, I certainly would follow in his footsteps. This is an unforgettable, powerful movie thanks to Robert Redford and company.
My Grade: A+