The Natural

• Directed by Barry Levinson
• May 11, 1984
• Based on Bernard Malamud’s 1952 novel The Natural

The story of a baseball player with great talent and the forces that he must contend against.

I remember hearing about The Natural when it first came out. I was all about Star Wars at the time (what child of the era wasn’t?) so this was not something I cared about then or even over the years. Fast forward to now and I came across this at a local used retailer known as Just Press Play and it was still in its wrapping. Being that I try to watch films considered classics regardless (and that the price was certainly right) I picked this up. And after watching I am sorry I slept on it for so long.

The Natural is about the magic and power of baseball. It has a touch of fantasy to every moment of this movie. For the characters hopes and dreams come alive in connection to the game. It’s also about how those same hopes and dreams can be undone by stupid decisions. The story connects to the very human drive to come back from setbacks and succeed. It’s about chasing a dream no matter what. This is about second chances and second acts.

There was a time when baseball was a cultural touchstone and genuinely the national pastime. As they say it was as all American as mom and apple pie. It was something that bonded the majority of those in the USA. This film and its tone is born out of that long gone era.

We have top tier talent in the cast. Robert Redford as baseball prodigy Roy Hobbs, Robert Duvall as sports reporter Max Mercy, Glenn Close as Roy’s love Iris Gaines, Kim Basinger as the temptress Memo Paris, the perpetually old Wilford Brimley as New York Knights manager Populus “Pop” Fisher, Barbara Hershey as the dangerous Harriet Bird, Robert Prosky as the sinister Judge, Richard Farnsworth as “Red” Blow, Joe Don Baker as fictitious baseball legend “The Whammer”, Darren McGavin as dangerous bookie Gus Sands, and a young Michael Madsen as rising star Bartholomew “Bump” Bailey.

There are dark forces working against Roy (Redford) achieving his dream. They feel more than human. More than mortal. The Natural can feel like a fantasy movie strangely grounded in reality. The Judge (Robert Prosky) is basically the Devil and Levinson certainly drives this home every chance he gets. The Judge is often photographed in shadow and darkness like a devil from an old film. This is a surprisingly symbolic film. It’s about good and evil, right and wrong and uses imagery to convey that.

Hopes and dreams play a central theme in this. You need something to aspire to be and aspire towards often to achieve great things. Simply wanting to do it is not enough. You need an example to follow as demonstrated by the Knight’s ability to win when Roy’s head is in the game and his motives good.

You could even find the elements of making the right choice and good things will follow. Roy’s life falls apart or gets shaky whenever he gives into temptation all starting with that day in the hotel room with Harriet Bird (Hershey) when he is shot. That is a lingering element with more to the story hinted at. When he does the bad thing or acts selfishly failure is what comes. There is so much going on in this movie that it’s amazing!

There’s also that Roy just can’t rely on plain ability. He must develop and work at it. When he just tries to get by things are difficult. When he puts effort into playing the game is when he succeeds. If anything, that’s the overarching lesson of the film that carries from start to finish.

These are understandable if not relatable characters. For example I took Robert Duvall’s sports reporter Max Mercy as a super fan. Maybe a bit of a jerk, but a guy with a love of the game, even if he may not have been the best of people. Our central character of Roy is shooting for one more chance at his dream. He may never get quite to where he wanted to be, but he wanted to at least try. And who hasn’t been there? It’s something we can at least imagine.

How can you talk about The Natural and not mention the finale? This movie culminates in what is perhaps one of the most famous scenes in film history. I think most people know the moment even if they do not know the film. I am talking about the exploding lights moment. An example of filmmaking artistry if there ever was one that is a perfect culmination to all events of the story.

I was astounded to find some people have a serious axe to grind with this movie. There are those who complain about changes from book to film. There are others who called it an indulgence for Redford. I guess people have loved to complain about movies before the Internet. This movie is great! The Natural is well acted and well directed. It has heart and even substance. It is not just about baseball but so many other things that are distinctly human. And by the time the credits roll you will feel good.

The Natural is an amazing movie. A beautifully shot film that had an amazing and largely uplifting story. It’s triumphant and a must-see film!