The Natural is a film that transcends sports movies, using baseball as a metaphor for opportunity, failure, and second chances, in an era when the game was not only America’s pastime, but its passion. Based on Bernard Malamud’s classic novel of the same name, Robert Redford’s star power shines as Roy Hobbs, a man whose youthful optimism turns to a more guarded restraint, after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman (Barbara Hershey) steals his chance at baseball immortality. Defying all odds, and some 16 years later, Hobbs tries to get back in the game as a middle-aged rookie for the New York Knights. The ensemble cast sparkles with sterling performances under the direction of Barry Levinson, with Wilford Brimley, Richard Farnsworth, Robert Duvall, Kim Basinger, Glenn Close, Robert Prosky, Darren McGavin, Joe Don Baker, Michael Madsen and John Finnegan. Baseball fans will appreciate how closely Redford’s swing resembles that of legendary hitter Ted Williams, in this feel-good baseball fable. The Natural garnered four Academy Award nominations – Cinematography (Caleb Deschanel), Art Direction (Mel Bourne), Best Original Score (Randy Newman) and Glenn Close for Best Supporting Actress.
