Moneyball- Movie Review

Directed by Bennett Miller

Screenplay by Steven Zallian and Aaron Sorkin, story by Stan Chervin, based on the book, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, by Michael Lewis.

Running Time: 133 minutes (2h, 13 mins.)
Rated PG-13 (for some strong language).
Distributor: Sony (Columbia Pictures)

Before I start this review, I would like to make it clear that I saw Moneyball two weeks earlier when it made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. I didn't write a review then, so I decided to see it again today, so I can refresh my memory on how the film played out. Now there have been a lot of baseball movies in film history, but now we finally have one that celebrates not only one of the greatest American sports, but the stats that go along with it.

Based on a true story, the film centers on Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), general manager of the Oakland Athletes. The team has been losing most of the games, espcially the ones where they're up against the richer teams, and now they've lost three of their best players. New ones must be found, but they have to be enough to pay for, due to the A's being on a tight budget. Beane, however, challenges the baseball system by teaming up with Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), an Ivy League graduate who has no baseball experience whatsoever and assembles a team by using sabermetrics (computer-generated baseball analysis) and that leads them to an expectedly successful season.

Now, I'm not a baseball guy. I've watched a few games, but I never really got into the sport, even though I've watched similar sport movies like Field of Dreams or The Natural or even The Benchwarmers. That might change after watching this movie. I was really cheering for the team as the film went along, but it's not only about the team. It's about Beane and how he started a revolution. Brad Pitt (who's also one of the producers) plays him with amazing wit and anger, both emotionally and physically. From the film's view, Beane is a complex character. He throws a lot of stuff (two being a TV and his own desk) and he doesn't watch the games that much. His scenes with Jonah Hill and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who plays team manager Art Howe, are great and hilarious to watch.

Speaking of Hill, he makes a big move from raunchy comedies to a more calmer role. When I say calm, I mean he doesn't spew out filthy language or dirty sex jokes, but I didn't expect that from him anyway. He's pretty great in this, as well as Hoffman, as he plays Howe with a gruff personality. There are also some other fine performances from Chris Pratt, who plays team player Scott Hatteberg, Stephen Bishop, who plays David Justice, Robin Wright, who plays Beane's ex-wife and newcomer Kerris Dorsey, who plays his singing daughter.

What makes the movie even better comes from the script, the direction, the cinematography and the score. This is Bennett Miller's first film since Capote six years ago and like that film, he doesn't disappoint. He has some close-up shots of Beane from his eyes to even his hands. He also goes back to Beane's childhood, where he played for various Major League Baseball teams. The script doesn't disappoint either. Steven Zallian and Aaron Sorkin sprinkle this with humorous, fast-paced, memorable dialogue and the score provided by Mychael Danna is effective as well. Wally Pfister's cinematography is great in here too. The Oscar-winner renders Miller's direction steadily, whether it comes to the scenes that take place on the field or the scenes that take place off.

Moneyball is a film that exceeded my expectations, with standout performances, an smart, witty, emotional script, awesome cinematography and an equally outstanding score. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this film. Like I said before, I'm not one, but after watching this movie (for the second time), I might be willing to give the sport another try. Maybe you will too. I give the film ***1/2 (3 stars and a half).