Moneyball Film Review

Moneyball (2011)

Billy Beane – a former baseball player- becomes general manager of the Oakland Athletics with the aim of winning the championship in the last game of the season, but with no success. He is surrounded with well experienced scouts, convinced that they know all about baseball.  Things change when he meets Peter Brand, performed greatly by Jonah Hill (Superbad, 21 Jump Street), creator of an innovative technique of building up a team on the grounds of computer based analysis.

In ‘Moneyball’ Brad Pitt(Inglorious Basters, Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) gives one of his finest performances portraying Billy Beane as a true – born character, maniac, who is brilliant and vigorous in his job. He is aware of his team's less than average potential and the fact that his discretional fund for transfers is 100 million dollar less than the best teams within their league. He wants to play a key role in changing things, moving them forward so he can achieve a spectacular recognition. Ultimately, neither victory nor fortune are vital in achieving the final aim.

As a loving, divorced parent, dedicated to his daughter he continues working and living near her. All of this wins him attention and enthusiastic support from us, the fans. Americans are familiar with the story, as baseball is one of their most popular sports. We see the story from a different angle – our main focus is the plot, it intrigues us, absorbs and arouses our admiration. One might wonder – was it only recently that this discipline has taken a new direction?

Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Charlie Wilson’s War) and Steven Zillion’s (Schindler’s List, Hannibal, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) screenplay has a key factor in overall success of the film. The above screenplay derives its benefits from the joint project of two talented individuals. Sports films, including the ones based on true stories, are peculiarly filled with conventional film models so, for instance, we see a team playing a game, losing that game; one of the characters is alienated, then undergoes a transformation and it all leads to an emotional, successful victory. ‘Moneyball’ is different, it’s far from the clichés of its genre, and it is an example of how to create sports drama above the ordinary. Bennett Miller’s (Capote, The Cruise) film demonstrates that such films can be entertaining – excellent dialogues, dynamic action (with minor idle moments) and intelligent humour – to name but a few.

Baseball is just a background to generation change – it’s an example of a battle between the old and new approach. Only Beane and Brand, the authors of  these introduced changes believe in their success. Old fashioned scouts and coaches are against those changes, claiming that it’s the experience that counts and they know best. The actual playing field does not appear on the screen often, most of the time action takes place in tiny rooms or changing rooms. Therefore anyone can enjoy watching the film, not only baseball fans.

Jonah Hill,well known for comedy films, plays the supporting role and it’s his first drama film. He created a very friendly character with the ability to amuse the audience. Hill performs on a similar level as in his other films, yet this time, thanks to the fantastic screenplay, he was able to create a far more expressive character. Among other cast we also see Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Big Lebowski, Doubt, The Ides of March) as the Okland’s coach – even though it’s not a leading role, his performance is up to his best standards.

‘Moneyball’ is a well entertaining and thought-provoking production.

Written by Maggie Gogler