The Natural: Movie & Baseball Magic

During some recent downtime I decided to go through my DVD collection on a whim in hopes of discovering a forgotten gem. I struck gold when I found my copy of The Natural. This is without a doubt my favorite baseball movie of all time, and after sitting through another viewing I remember why.

The Natural, released in 1984, is based on Bernard Malamud's 1952 novel of the same name. It tells the story of fictional baseball player, Roy Hobbs and his effect on a struggling franchise. The movie is nowhere near as dark as Malamud's novel but is still a fair adaptation.

The character of Roy Hobbs is played by Oscar winner, Robert Redford who many of this generation's moviegoers may not be familiar with. In the late 1970's and throughout the 1980's Redford was one of the most sought after actors. In comparison he was the Robert Pattinson of his day. Others might recall, especially those fans of the independent movie scene, Redford was instrumental in getting the Sundance Film Festival started.

The movie opens with Hobbs as a child being taught the game of baseball by his father. It is clear from the start the young Hobbs has a gift for the game. Sadly his father dies suddenly from a heart attack. The same night a large tree in the Hobbs' family yard is struck by lightening. Roy takes what is left of the tree and crafts his bat, Wonderboy.

Jump ahead a few years and we learn a 19-year old Hobbs has earned a try out with the Chicago Cubs. He spends a last night with his high school sweetheart, Iris played by Glenn Close, and hops a train. There he is charmed and seduced by a mysterious woman, Harriet Byrd who dims Roy's apparent bright future when she inexplicably shoots Hobbs before plunging to her death.

Sixteen years go by before we see Hobbs walking to the dugout as a newly signed player for the New York Knights; a team owned in part by their manager, Pops Fisher who we later learn has sold the majority of his shares in the team to a shady character known as The Judge. Hobbs, described as a nobody from nowhere, was signed because it was thought he would add to the woeful play of the Knights. Instead through the magic of baseball, Hobbs inspires the Knights who quickly find themselves in championship contention.

Along the way Roy finds himself at the heart of a power play between The Judge and his nefarious partner a gambler named Gus Sands and the Knights owner/manager, Pops Fisher who has to make it to the World Series or lose the rest of his shares. Hobbs also becomes involved with Pops' niece, Memo who seems to be playing both sides of the fence as well as rediscovering his old flame, Iris. Throughout the movie Hobbs is hounded by sports writer, Max Mercy played to perfection by Robert Duvall, and it is never quite clear whose side Mercy is really on.

With the Knights on the verge of clinching a spot in the World Series Hobbs' old gunshot wound comes back to haunt him when the lining of his stomach erodes to a potentially lethal level due to the bullet which had been lodged there for the better part of two decades. Hobbs decides to play in the final game of the season against doctor's orders to help Pops regain ownership of the Knights despite a large bribe by The Judge to intentionally strike out.

In the climactic scene of the movie Hobbs comes up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game on the line. Earlier in the game he is informed by Iris he is the father of her son whom he has never met and that his son is in attendance. With all this weighing on his mind as well as his stomach wound bleeding through his uniform Hobbs hits a long foul ball after already having a two strike count shattering his seemingly mystical bat, Wonderboy.

After getting a new bat selected by the Knights batboy who incidentally made the bat much like Hobbs had done with Wonderboy he delivers an ending only found in Hollywood when the ball he hits flies into the stadium's lights causing them to explode showering the field in sparks as Hobbs circles the bases.

The Natural is not just a great sports movie, but a good film all the way around. With its theme centered on redemption and second chances this is more of a baseball fable than anything else. You cannot help but get shivers when Hobbs delivers his final shot into the lights of the Knight's stadium.

I think another reason why I love this movie so much is in a round-a-bout way it parallels the tale of King Arthur. I have always been a fan of the Arthurian Legend so when you combine those elements with my favorite sport, baseball then of course this is a can't miss movie for me.

The only complaint I have about The Natural was the fact Roy Hobbs was supposed to play for the Chicago Cubs. If he was that good as an ageing player for the Knights, just think what he would have done in his prime for the Cubs! Ah - sadly, what might have been.

Seriously though, The Natural is the best baseball movie ever made in my opinion and one of the best overall sports films as well. I am happy I was able to rediscover this movie gem, and I have no problem recommending The Natural to any baseball fan, and to anyone who believes in the magic of a happy ending.

"The Natural (film)", Wikipedia.org