The 2012 Oscar Best Picture Nominee “Moneyball” was a pleasant surprise when I caught it on DVD after waiting months to see it. I am biased, I love Brad Pitt films. The film is about the 2002 Oakland Athletics and
The 2012 Oscar Best Picture Nominee “Moneyball” was a pleasant surprise when I caught it on DVD after waiting months to see it. I am biased, I love Brad Pitt films. The film is about the 2002 Oakland Athletics and how its General Manager Billy Beane (Pitt) tried to revolutionize professional baseball by using players who scored runs — not ones who hit home runs — to win games.
As “Moneyball” unfolds, you quickly learn this is not a baseball movie. It’s about life, determination, guts and how some times we must stand alone (or stand with few beside us). In an Oscar-nominated role for Pitt (as actor and producer of “Moneyball”), Pitt brings us a role that brings subtle nuances to the film, similiar to performances we’ve seen from Marlon Brando (“The Godfather”), Dustin Hoffman (“The Graduate”), Al Pacino (“Serpico”) or Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull”).
I’ve seen this film six times. I’ve watched it to study Pitt, the cinematography, editing, directing and writing (penned by Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network”). This movie was developed for nearly seven years with multiple writers (all credited) and directors attached.
Overall, another superb aspect of “Moneyball” was the casting of Jonah Hill (“Knocked Up,” “Superbad”). Hill is known for stupid, guy films, but I didn’t know what to think seeing him in a serious, dramatic role with Pitt. Hill surprised viewers and even garnered a (well-deserved) Oscar nod. He goes to bat (no pun) with Pitt and surprisingly holds his own with Philip Seymour Hoffman (who plays the team manager of the A’s), who isn’t always on board with Pitt’s character, Beane.
This movie begs the question: Do we always have to live by the status quo? Is it OK to stand out on a ledge? I say yes, many don’t. This movie builds itself on an endless amount of one-liners from “You don’t win the last game of the season, they dismiss you” to “When you get the answer you want on the phone, hang up.”
Pitt brings a special quality to this role. Pitt is quoted as saying he was inspired by the characters in ’70s movies like “Dog Day Afternoon” (Pacino) and “All the President’s Men” (Hoffman), where the character didn’t change but the world around the character did.
The character in the movie must adapt to his world, without sacrificing who he is. This was a staple of ’70s films and “Moneyball” (based on a book of the same name) is very much a ’70s film in it’s timing, style and execution. It’s another reason I love this film.
I suggest this film for entertainment or if you’re someone who likes getting more out of a movie. Overall, it’s a great film for anyone that has ever felt like an underdog. Check it out on Netflix, in Redbox or on cable (movie channels, not network).
For you baseball fans, I love baseballl. To me, the film was a bit different because I’ve been to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (in Oakland, Calif.), Dodger Stadium (in Los Angeles) and Fenway Park (in Boston). You will leave changed by this movie. To me, that is what makes movies great.
I remember how I viewed the world before this movie and experience a new love for many things each time I see this film. That is not movies, it’s film. It’s enduring and a reason why in the digital age (now more then ever) we need to preserve it. Watch “Moneyball.”
