Lindsay: I didn’t know quite what to expect going into Moneyball. I had no knowledge of the real life people the film is based on or even much insight into baseball for that matter. For me, baseball has always been one of those sports that would make for an enjoyable stadium experience, but a snoozefest at home. And ‘sports films’ in general don’t really appeal that much to yours truly. Moneyball, however, completely changed my outlook. I am in love with this film.
Ok so in Moneyball, Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics. The A’s just lost in the playoffs and are about to lose their 3 best players. Beane needs to find replacement players using his meager resources and is pretty down in the dumps about it. Then during an ordinary meeting, Billy encounters a young man named Peter Brand. Struck by something in Peter, Billy speaks to him and learns he believes in an innovated idea that uses statistical data to determine the value of baseball players. From there basically the two team up to find some players and set out to prove that this theory can actually work.
Moneyball is one of those films I can recommend in good faith to about 90% of the people I know. The film boasts a really lovely cast, sharp dialogue, and much more heart and humor than you might expect. And even though it is definitely a ‘feel-good’ film, it manages to sidestep most corny sports movie clichés. The story itself is interesting and deserving of its own tale, unlike most films in this genre that are tired, rehashed commonplace.
Beyond the worthwhile story, Moneyball is one of the most succinctly paced films I have watched in a long ass time. No scene is unnecessary. Nothing should be edited, nothing should be added. Each scene is so expertly crafted by director Bennett Miller that you take every moment in with importance. There are hilarious scenes between the baseball scouts, which flow with genuine fervor and in contrast, subdued scenes of reflection where Billy Beane is alone. Everything works exactly how it’s supposed to. The camerawork also allows Pitt to perform at his most dynamic. I especially enjoyed the moments Pitt shared with the young daughter character (played by Kerris Dorsey.) Overall the films is familiar but fresh, weaving together laughter, warmth and emotion into one super enjoyable experience.
90-100% Almost perfect film, all time favorite.