The Natural

1984

Dir: Barry Levinson

One of the greatest sports movies of all time. The history and passion of baseball are on full display here. Sure, it is sentimental. But it is genuinely beautiful as well, and captures the sport, especially its connection with boyhood, in a way few if any other movies have.

Michelle and I marvelled througout at the lighting. The obvious halo around Robert Redford does its narrative job, but it is the use of shadow that stands out most to my eyes. Levinson has put tremendous care into every frame, and there are hardly any shots that don't use lighting to acheive a memorable image. One of the most visually resonant movies I have seen.

A must see.

MAP