Watch The Natural For Free

How sad is this?

best movie i've ever seen.

A lot of fun.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Wow. What an interesting film. It's both a sports flick and a morality play...and it fits both those categories quite perfectly. It's elevated by the use of ambiguity and metaphor into a story that truly transcends and speaks to the soul. We root for the lost sparks of glory that is ever present and yet beyond the reach of a fallen man. And we question what our first life is really worth - what we can find meaning and glory in. And all this is set in the completely entertaining sports genre.Honestly some of the best use of slow-motion I've ever seen. And a great musical score by Randy Newman. This should be a classic. It's deep. It's dynamite.

Wonderful bit of Americana told through that most American of sports, baseball. Director Barry Levinson fashions a mythic tale about an over-the-hill 1920s baseball player, Roy Hobbs, finally getting his shot at the big leagues with the fictional New York Knights. Robert Redford plays Hobbs, himself in many ways a stereotypical All- American boy. Hobbs seemingly comes out of nowhere and no one knows where this talented player came from or why it took him so long to appear in the majors. Hobbs quickly gains fame an attention, and while on his journey faces many challenges; tempted by seductresses, facing down dark corrupting forces, and the lure of money and fame. As with most American myths and tropes, they have their roots in other cultures. The mythology presented in "The Natural" seems heavily influenced by Greek Mythology, with Hobbs as a Homer-like hero on a journey to find home. Kim Basinger and Barbara Hershey plays a sirens. Darren McGavin and Robert Duvall plays dark, corrupting underworld god-like figures manipulating events. Glenn Close represents the home that Hobbs is seeking. Other actors of note in the film include Wilford Brimley as the team manager and Richard Farnsworth as an assistant coach. There's also strong supporting performances from Robert Prosky, Michael Madsen, Mike Starr, and Joe Don Baker in a small role that's a thinly veiled analogue for Babe Ruth. Randy Newman also deserve note for his beautiful score, as does director of photography Caleb Deschane. When a baseball smashes the ballpark lights in an explosion of sparks and rousing music are unforgettable and gorgeous. Barry Levinson has made some brilliant, including "Diner," "Avalon," and TV series like "OZ" and "Homicide: Life on the Street," but I think this film may be my favorite of all of his fine work.

I've been on kind of a baseball kick lately, and obviously, "The Natural" is going to come up. And it's a good movie, boasting some veteran talent both behind and in front of the camera. The funny thing is that it's not really about baseball, same as boxing is just a storytelling vehicle for "Raging Bull" and "Million Dollar Baby". This is really an allegory of good and evil, of honorable men and the forces that would smother them; the symbolism's painted all over the walls in this place.When I read Malamud's book a few years ago, I was blown away by the ending, one that really underlines the novel's bitterness; and that finish has no place in this film. Even still, while you know who to root for and who to despise, there are still aspects that really need to be fleshed out; Robert Duvall's character, in particular.But I'm not out to poke holes. This movie is memorable not just for the acting or Randy Newman's main theme, but for its fondness for the period. You watch this for the sun-kissed cinematography and those crucial moments when fate (t last) steps in to level the playing field.Pacing issues aside, it's a movie everyone needs to see at least once.7/10

Robert Redford stars in this sports drama about baseball player Roy Hobbs' success and suffering in his batting career entitled The Natural.This film directed by Barry Levison that tells the decades of experiences that Hobbs have had with in the baseball field co- stars Robert Duvall,Glenn Close,Kim Basinger,Wilford Brimley and Barbara Hershey.Roy Hobbs has big dreams of becoming a baseball superstar.It has shown that as early as 14,he's got a natural talent for hitting the bat.This impressed a lot of scouts who have seen him play.Sportswriter Max Mercy comes into his aid to his career when he was 19 and ready to play for the big time.When he meets a mysterious woman named Harriet Birdw,who shoots him and killed herself in the process.Later,we get to see Hobbs at age 35 and an old rookie with the New York Knights.When the star player "Bump" Bailey angered the coach which made him replace with Roy Hobbs instead to hit for him.During the game and overcoming his physical pain and heavy odds against him and the Knights,many were shocked when Hobbs hit the ball hard to help them win the game.This led him to becoming a league sensation in the end and to fulfill his baseball dreams.Later,he goes through a playing slump.But when he finally gets to know that he has a 16-year old son,he becomes rejuvenated in life and starts to play well again in the field.No question that the movie is high on sentiment and tries to paint the Roy Hobbs character as an American icon.Also,it wasn't more about the game of baseball being a sports movie but rather more about Hobbs' ability to never give up and to rise from every failure that he encounters in his pursuit of his biggest dream of his life.Being an 80's film,many would enjoy this it at the time it was released considering it is high on melodrama and it has baseball centered in the story which is America's favorite pastime and pleasure.The themes of enormous pain and abundant pleasure will also please them especially when tackling Hobbs at different points of his life.