Moneyball
- Genre: Biopic, Drama
- Details: US/133mins PG
Pitt is Billy Beane, the General Manager of the mildly successful, but budget restrained Major League baseball team, The Oakland Athletics. To survive, the team must slash their budget and sell on some of their biggest stars to direct competition, which causes Beane to hire Jonah Hill's economics major, Peter Brand. Together they formulate a radical plan that curtails almost every major ideal about baseball players and scouting, and assemble a team for a fraction of the cost of their rivals - something that makes them unpopular with old school baseball folks.
It's a testament to the work of the filmmakers and cast here that Moneyball is as engaging as it is. When broken down, the film is about numbers; because that was the mindset that these people had when tackling the issue of a crumbling team. Director Miller and his Oscar winning writers Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin drop just enough back-story in with Beane to make you care. Granted, Pitt really helps...
It goes without saying that the camera still loves Brad Pitt. He's grown into his looks in true movie star fashion, and is getting more like Robert Redford with each passing flick. His work here is injected with the kind of slight touches of quirk that have become his trademark in lighter fare. It's a semi-serious role after two very sombre turns in both Tree of Life and The Assassination of Jesse James. His presence alone elevates every scene, and gives this already cracking production that something extra. Hill is fine support, but doesn't veer too much away from his well known persona, while other notable name, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, just walks around looking belligerent.
Surprisingly engrossing and both funny and fascinating, you won't need to be a baseball aficionado to enjoy Moneyball.
Review by Mike Sheridan | 09:00 | Tuesday 8th November 2011 | Movie Review
Comments
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FilmBuff76
As the filmmakers have been keen to point out on this side of the world, Moneyball is not a baseball film but rather a film about the business end of the sport. Most of the drama takes place off the field so if, like me, you don't know anything about baseball then you can still enjoy this character piece. It's about Billy Beane, who revolutionised the sport a decade ago with his unique approach to player statistics. Played with humour and perception by an engaging Brad Pitt, it's a reasonably entertaining though not-quite great film. I didn't really learn anything about baseball but I certainly learned that the sport is full of colourful characters. It also seems that Brad Pitt can do no wrong these days. He seems to be following pal George Clooney in choosing intriguing and different roles. Worth a look for Pitt's performance alone.
Posted 22:24 | Sun 27th Nov 2011 -
Emma-Jane
Its A Shocking Film. Hated Every Minute Of It Couldnt Wait For It To End. It Was A Zero Out Of Five Stars For Me!
Posted 02:40 | Sun 18th Dec 2011 -
Siobhan L
Moneyball is about a shift in how an industry works, a massive culture change in a sport and the abandonment of romantic elements to achieve success. Unfortunately for those not familiar with Oakland and baseball many of the jokes are missed, making it seem a dryer film. The central character, Billy Beane loves baseball and works with men who love baseball. He also likes winning and to win he realises that he has to look at baseball statistics in a new way. For those who don't know - Oakland is a poor city next to San Francisco famous for riots, docklands, racial tension and poverty. The film also considers what different people define as success and our potential fear of failure. A good film and a likely nomination for Pitt.
Posted 13:54 | Tue 3rd Jan 2012 -
David
Well Emma-Jane obviously has no clue what she is talking about. I have no interest in baseball at all, but even from my point of view I recognize this film as fantastic. The acting is top notch from Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, both deserving their Oscar nominations. I don't think you need to have an interest in baseball to see this, maybe you need an interest in sport, but all in all, I think anyone would enjoy this brilliant picture.
Posted 03:12 | Sat 14th Apr 2012
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