The Silent Natural

This is a valiant effort from novice writer/director and a cast of mostly first-timers, but there is so much reenacted material that is simply weak and doesn't propel the story. I'm guessing that writer/director David Risotto had a heavy hand in editing, although others are credited as editor and assistant editor. What drew me to the film and kept me watching is the strength of the story itself.This property deserves a stronger treatment.

Taking on this subject in a 2;20 minute film with almost unknown actors is ambitious. And clever techniques were used to let the audience feel what the lead character (deaf and dumb) felt. But no amount of ambition can make up for the many missed beats in the script, and the many scenes where the audience starts to feel that the actors are being less than authentic. Plus the editing of the film, which is solid for the first half, becomes progressively sloppier as the movie itself moves into extra innings.

This story should be told. I love baseball and never knew about this man. So THAT is the only reason I could watch it. The acting is painful. I have no idea where he got most of the actors but wow. That being said. An incredible story that made me watch to the end just to learn about this incredible mans journey....