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Directed By Barry Levinson
Written By: Roger Towne, Phil Dusenberry
Cast: Robert Redford, Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, Kim Basinger, Wilford Brimley, Barbara Hershey, Richard Farnsworth, Robert Prosky, Darren McGavin, Joe Don Baker, Michael Madsen
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The Natural (1984)
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Natuaral Sports Classic
With the film "The Natural" it always amazed that someone would write a story about baseball the was so borderline mystical and philosophical.
But years after I first saw the movie I decided to read the back by Bernard Malamud and had some interesting things pointed out to me by an old professor that I will share later on in this review.
But in the mean time "The Natural" star Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs as an overage baseball player who drops of the face of the earth and then returns to play baseball again to try to realize his dream of playing in the majors.
The story of his past is mysterious and tangled. The effect Roy has on the people around him when he returns to baseball is actually inspiring. This film is at times spectacular to watch and the soundtrack is legendary in film history at this point.
I know a lot of woman out there are not into sports films but I still recommend this one because I think it is that good.
*Spoiler Alert*
This film is about good and evil, magic, and so many other underline things it makes you wonder about the source of this material. Like I said earlier in the review after reading the book I discovered and having an old professor shed some light on some things I feel like I understand the story and intent better.
The Natural is actually a Arthurian Tale (or legend) disguised as an early century baseball story. Roy Hobbs is King Arthur and his bat (forged by lighting) is Excalibur. Pop Fisher played in the film by Wilfred Brimley is the Fisher King. The Arthurian take is alot easier to pick up on in the book than it is the film, but trust me it's all over the place in the book.
The book also, just for the record is a lot darker and probably a better story (though it's not as hopeful as the film).
So for the woman who don't think they'll be into the film read the book, its worth it.
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