Review of The Natural (1984) by Jens T — 15 Jun 2013

Barry Levinson's The Natural is the story about the young farm boy Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) who's a natural talent when it comes to baseball. He's been sighed up for Chicago Cubs as a pitcher. But one incidence at a hotel room makes him disappear for sixteen year, until he decides to make a comeback in an age of 35, when he's begins to play for the The New York Knights. The trainer Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley) have no expectations at all, but Roy proves him wrong and helps the already unpopular team to raise fame. But Roy also have ups and downs. There's also corrupt powers involved who only cares about winning bets, no matter what.

Even though the 48-year-old Robert Redford is actually too old to play a 35-year old Roy, he do fit into the role as old in general not when it comes to sports. But I think he played his role good, so did Glenn Close as Roys former girlfriend Iris, with a strong supporting cast that includes Wilford Brimley and Robert Duvall as the sneaky sport journalist and gambler, Max Mercy. The Natural is good compelling sport movie with its ups and downs, but it's one of those typical cheers film that have been spoofed over and over again. It's a typical 80s feel good movie, but I still enjoyed it very much because of it's contempt towards the selfish gamblers that has to manipulate talent. Thumbs up.