The Natural Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Aging baseball rookie uses magical bat to hit balls so hard they explode, wins the game, gets the girl, and makes everyone cry, probably.

🍿 The Natural: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Prodigy’s Dreams Interrupted

Young Roy Hobbs is a gifted baseball player with dreams of reaching the major leagues. He crafts a bat, “Wonderboy”, from a lightning-struck tree, imbuing it with a sense of destiny. However, his journey is tragically derailed when he meets Harriet Bird, a mysterious woman who shoots him, shattering his aspirations.

Second Chance at Glory

Years later, a now middle-aged Roy Hobbs emerges as a rookie for the struggling New York Knights. His arrival is met with skepticism from the team’s manager, Pop Fisher, and the cynical sportswriter, Max Mercy. Despite the doubts, Hobbs’ extraordinary talent quickly becomes apparent, revitalizing the team and captivating fans.

Temptation and Corruption

As Hobbs’ star rises, he faces new challenges, including the seductive Memo Paris and the corrupt Judge Banner, who attempts to bribe him into throwing games. Hobbs is forced to confront his past mistakes and choose between personal gain and the integrity of the game. His relationship with Memo leads to a slump, mirroring his earlier downfall.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford): A naturally gifted baseball player who seeks legendary status but faces numerous obstacles and temptations throughout his career.
• Iris Gaines (Glenn Close): Roy’s childhood sweetheart and a symbol of purity who represents his second chance at a fulfilling life.
• Memo Paris (Kim Basinger): A seductive and dangerous woman who tempts Roy and contributes to his downfall, representing the allure of fame and fortune.
• Max Mercy (Robert Duvall): A cynical sportswriter who initially doubts Roy but ultimately becomes a witness to his remarkable talent and redemption.
• Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley): The superstitious but ultimately supportive manager of the New York Knights, whose fate becomes intertwined with Roy’s success.
• The Judge (Robert Prosky): The corrupt and ruthless owner of the New York Knights, determined to manipulate the team for his own financial gain.
• Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey): A mysterious woman who shoots Roy Hobbs early in his career, derailing his initial path to stardom.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roy Hobbs: “I want them to say, ‘Roy Hobbs was the best there ever was in the game.’” – A young Roy Hobbs expresses his ambition, setting the stage for his lifelong pursuit of baseball greatness.
• Iris Gaines: “You know, I believe we have two lives. The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.” – Iris shares her philosophy with Roy, suggesting that experience shapes our future.
• Pop Fisher: “Pick me out a winner, Bobby!” – Pop Fisher asks the batboy to choose a bat for Roy, highlighting the blend of superstition and hope in baseball.
• Roy Hobbs: “God, I love baseball.” – Roy expresses his deep passion for the sport.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $47,951,979
• Worldwide Gross: $47,951,979

💥 The Natural Reviews

Personal Review

I was absolutely blown away by ‘The Natural’! It’s more than just a baseball movie; it’s about dreams, second chances, and the power of belief. The ending gets me every time, with the sparks flying and Randy Newman’s score swelling – pure movie magic! Redford is fantastic, portraying both vulnerability and strength. This film always leaves me feeling inspired and ready to chase my own dreams.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of baseball movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy inspirational sports dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate classic Hollywood storytelling”
  • “Robert Redford fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scene of violence (shooting)”
  • “Mature themes (infidelity, bribery)”
  • “Implied sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Barry Levinson’s ‘The Natural’ transcends the typical sports film with its mythical undertones and stunning visuals. Robert Redford delivers a captivating performance as Roy Hobbs, a man chasing a dream against all odds. Though melodramatic at times, the film’s emotional resonance and Randy Newman’s score make it a timeless classic.
• Roger Ebert: “Roger Ebert admired the film’s visuals and Redford’s performance but found the story overly sentimental. He noted the film’s shift from realism to fable-like qualities, suggesting it was more about the myth of Roy Hobbs than the game of baseball itself, impacting the overall believability.
• The New York Times: “Vincent Canby noted, Barry Levinson infuses ‘The Natural’ with a blend of nostalgia and fantasy. The film’s visual beauty is undeniable, yet it occasionally falters by leaning too heavily on sentimentality. Redford’s portrayal of Hobbs captures the character’s quiet determination and inherent goodness.

Audience Reactions

Redford’s performance made Roy Hobbs an iconic and relatable character.: Viewers consistently praise Redford’s portrayal of Roy Hobbs and the film’s emotional impact.

Randy Newman’s score is a masterclass in creating emotion.: The soundtrack is universally loved, enhancing the film’s most memorable moments.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Natural’ is a beloved sports film praised for its visuals, score, and Redford’s performance, although some find the sentimentality overdone.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Cinematography)- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The baseball field used for many scenes was All-High Stadium in Buffalo, New York, which was meticulously dressed to resemble a 1930s ballpark.”
• “Robert Redford trained extensively to appear convincing as a baseball player, focusing on his batting stance and swing.”
• “The film’s score by Randy Newman is considered one of the greatest movie scores of all time, contributing significantly to the film’s emotional impact.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Natural?

The Natural is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where it’s available for rent or purchase. Check your local cable provider’s on-demand options as well. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Natural, you might like these similar films:

• Field of Dreams (1989): Shares the magical realism and sentimental portrayal of baseball as a symbol of hope and redemption.
• Raging Bull (1980): Explores the darker side of ambition and self-destruction through the lens of a sports figure, similar to Roy Hobbs’s internal struggles.
• The Pride of the Yankees (1942): A classic biographical baseball film that embodies the spirit of perseverance and heroism in the sport’s golden age.
• Moneyball (2011): A more modern and realistic take on baseball, it explores how data and strategy can triumph over traditional scouting methods, offering a different perspective on the game.

🛒 The Natural Related Products

• The Natural (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: This edition includes bonus features, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews. It’s the perfect way to relive the movie’s magic with enhanced visuals and sound.
• The Natural: A Novel by Bernard Malamud: Experience the original story with enhanced visuals and sound. You can also listen to its audio book counterpart. This story is well known, and well received.
• Wonderboy Bat Replica: This highly detailed replica of Roy Hobbs’ iconic bat, ‘Wonderboy,’ is a symbol of the movie’s magic and the character’s legendary status. It’s a great way to have a piece of the movie on display.
• MLB The Show 24: Create your own legendary baseball player and guide them to the Hall of Fame! Experience the full range of MLB’s best and compete with your friends in online tournaments. This game provides endless hours of content!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Natural features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Randy Newman
• “Iris” – performed by Randy Newman
• “The Whammer” – performed by Randy Newman
• “The Star Spangled Banner” – performed by Kate Smith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Hobbs Proves His Worth At Batting Practice | The Natural (Wilford Brimley, Robert Redford)

Check out this clip of Roy Hobbs showing everyone what he’s made of! It’s amazing how quickly he silences the doubters with just his bat. This scene really sets the tone for the whole movie.

Robert Redford in The Natural – The Clock

Remember that awesome moment when Robert Redford hits the clock? Seeing it again is so satisfying, pure cinematic glory! The slo-mo effect gives me chills every time. It’s the perfect feel good scene!

Hobbs Electrifying Game Winning Home-Run | The Natural (Robert Redford, Glenn Close, Robert Duvall)

Oh my gosh, do you remember the final scene where Hobbs hits the winning home run? It is such a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat sequence! Every time I watch it I get so excited to see him redeem himself, it is absolutely worth the watch!

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