The Natural

Life in the Manichean league. Not since the black-hat/white-hat westerns of days of yore has there been a movie so simplistic in its depiction—visually, at least, if not in plot terms — of the good vs. evil conflict. And yet, despite this film’s short-spectrum presentation, the story still comes across as something of a muddle. Yes, it is apparently supposed to be something of a mystery what happened to Roy Hobbs during all those missing years—but that doesn’t mean the character’s arc should make so little sense. The viewer is left wondering why exactly that life-changing event happened at all, let alone why someone seemingly as good and grounded as Redford’s character would be so thoroughly diverted for a decade and a half. This is movie that, like most fables, I suppose, does not stand up all that well to scrutiny. Sure, the right side wins in the end—no real spoiler there; the denouement is obvious all the way through—but even such a triumphant ending ultimately comes across as unsatisfying. You can chalk this one up as a win, ultimately, but there were certainly errors made along the way.

Diner

Competently done as a nostalgia piece, but strangely unengaging as a story in its own right. Almost dull, if you can believe that. They got the details right, and the cast is full of recognizable faces (in their younger forms), but there's very little about the story that really leaps off the screen. Given the focus on youth--of another day, no less--there should be far more exuberance in the screenplay. But it's just not there.

Bandits

It works. It's not something that will change the world, but you can find worse ways to pass the time. The story holds the attention, Billy Bob Thornton is typically excellent, Bruce Willis is in his best mode (when he doesn't try to do too much), and Cate Blanchett is funnier than you'd think.