Reviews

Films

The Natural

Directed by Barry Levinson, starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close

Not far into this Barry Levinson-directed baseball drama, you'll soon figure out exactly when Robert Redford is just about to hit a home run. The big clue is that Randy Newman's sickly-sweet score pipes in just as the pitcher releases the ball. Then cue slow motion before the ball hits the bat and whammo! These are devices intended to heighten the impact of the homer but instead they simply reinforce the film's desire to turn Redford's character into a god-like figure.

When we first meet Roy Hobbs (Redford), he's on his way to try out for the majors when he plays a little backyard ball with then-superstar, the Whammer (Joe Don Baker). Miraculously, Roy strikes out the Whammer with three pitches and the small crowd that has gathered goes wild.

On the train, Roy meets a mysterious woman who lures him back to her hotel room and shoots him in the stomach. Fifteen years later, a 30-something Roy becomes the oldest rookie ever who, against-all-odds, sets out to write his name in the history books.

This is a sports movie looking to do a little myth making. Roy isn't presented as just a great player; he's also a great person that exudes determination and humility. Roy's also sentimental - he may be sleeping with a bad girl (Kim Basinger) but his heart still lies with his high-school sweetheart (Glenn Close).

Unfortunately, Redford's earnest performance turns Roy into somewhat of a bore, which makes his inevitable rise into the pantheon of the sporting gods dull to watch. This is one cinematic beatification where it's difficult to give two hoots about the saintly central figure. Ben Davey

Waiting for Guffman

Directed by Christopher Guest, starring Bob Balaban, Parker Posey

Over a decade had passed since Christopher Guest co-wrote and starred in the faux-documentary to end all faux-documentaries, This is Spinal Tap. Here he turns his attentions to a subject much less glamorous than the international rock set but just as ripe for satire: community theater. The ambition, the egos, the tantrums and the scarcity of talent - it's all here in this funny and warm send-up of those whose lack of theatrical skill does not limit their enormous hopes and dreams.

The action is centered on a small American town called Blaine, famous as the Stool Capital of the World and alleged site of an alien visitation. To celebrate the 150th year of the town's founding, Broadway wannabe Corky St Clair (Guest) assumes direction of a commemorative play with the spectacular title of Red, White and Blaine. The cast is made up of enthusiastic performers such as the teen Dairy Queen seductress (Parker Posey), a shy high school music teacher (Bob Balaban) and the local travel agents (Fred Willard and Catherine O'Hara).

Things start to get serious, however, after Corky reveals that a Broadway scout will attend a viewing to see if the play can work in the big city. Not as pitiless on its characters as Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman makes fun out of its motley crew but it's obvious that writer, director and star, Guest, also cares for them. The funniest moments will hit close to home for those who have ever been involved in amateur theater, although everyone will find something to amuse themselves here. BD

(China Daily 08/29/2007 page20)