The movie Moneyball (2011) is a look inside the inner workings of America's favorite past time, baseball. Directed by Bennett Miller, famous for the film Capote (2005). Adapted from the book "Moneyball:The Art of Winning an Unfair Game" written by Michael Lewis, who also wrote "The Blind Side." Then bring in big hitter Aaron Sorkin who co-wrote the screenplay with Steven Zaillian, with the story by Stan Chervin, and forgive the pun, you have a home run!
Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), general manager of the long time losing Oakland A’s baseball team, continually negotiates with his owner for more money to bring better players to the team. He is told that he will have to work with the budget given and once again, like so many years before, bring in the players to try to become a winning team by the end of the year. Beane hears critics on the radio and television everyday stating that he should be fired and another GM hired to bring the team where it needs to be. He is taking the blame, but he is really not the problem. Budget constraints are.
This has had a profound affect on Beane’s family life. His wife, Sharon (Robin Wright), leaves Beane and marries a wealthier man. His daughter, Casey Beane (Kerris Dorsey), is not able to see him as often, because his schedule demands he scout across the country for minor league and worn out major league players to keep his team a float. Casey is left to watch her father struggle financially, professionally and see the emotional toll it takes on him. All of this from a one time major league baseball player who left the game, because of too many injuries. Yet, Beane is committed to his team.
While out scouting at a competing teams office, he sees a young man whispering advice to a negotiator. After the meeting is over, he confronts the young Ivy League college graduate, Peter Brand (Jonah Hill). Beane wants to know what he was telling the negotiators. Once coerced, the young man walks him to a parking garage and divulges his secret. Billy likes what he hears and within the week, he makes a trade with this team and includes hiring Peter Brand in the trade.
Beane and Brand are taken through the ringer as they try to convince the coaches, scouts, owners and the critical public that their strategy is the way to win games.
Brad Pitt pulls off a convincing roll as Billy Beane, the hard luck general manager, who just wants to win one season with his team. He lets us into a world that few understand and many criticize. It gave me a new appreciation for what general managers go through to get a team to the top. People are talking Oscar. I would not doubt it.
Jonah Hill show us that he does have some acting chops and we truly believe he is a young up and comer in this world of baseball who knows exactly what he is talking about and we all should just shut up and listen.
I think this is a great movie for all ages to see. It shows us what life can do to relationships, but also how going with your gut and chasing a dream can pay off in the end. Also, how turning left, when you should have turned right, can affect all you do. But in the end, it shows us that even when you think you failed, you really won. Especially when someone realizes you were the one with the original idea, writes a book and then produces a movie about you! Billy Beane and Peter Brand, you definitely changed the face of baseball for the better! Thank you!
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