Number crunching in the big leagues.
Based on the controversial book by Michael Lewis, Moneyball is about the use of statistical information in major league baseball…but don’t worry, it’s not all maths, geeks and jocks.
Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the general manager for a sub-par baseball team called the Oakland A’s, and is largely in charge for the team’s scouting (which involves recruiting new players). After another end-of-season defeat, Billy faces a restricted budget and the loss of some key members of his team. But, instead of continuing the usual pattern of recruitment, he turns to the theory of a young man named Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), who believes his intense analysis of baseball figures will allow Beane to recruit the less-than-desirable players for pittance, and still make a championship team.
What ensues is an underdog baseball story, but without much baseball! In fact, Beane rarely watches the games, believing that he will somehow jinx them, and instead he prefers to only catch snippets of the action - via radio or TV.
This film should not work on paper! The premise is dull and the story seems boring, but in fact, Moneyball is a terrific film, because, instead of focusing too much on the stats, we are offered a larger battle between Beane’s revolutionary idea and the foundations of America’s favourite pastime.
Pitt is thoroughly engaging as Beane, showing us this flawed character who makes a living trading the careers of sports stars, whilst falling apart in his own personal life. Jonah Hill delivers a worthy, understated performance as the rookie scouting agent.
You may get a bit confused if you are a little wet-behind-the-ears when it comes to baseball, but the overall effect is charming and compelling.
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