Review of Moneyball (2011) by Anna I — 29 Jan 2013

I know I'm a little later seeing this one, but better late than never. I actually had to watch this twice to really absorb it. The first time I got a little bored and didn't feel like I "got the point" of the movie.

After taking a couple days and re-watching it I knew more what I was looking for in understanding the big picture of a baseball movie about money. I didn't start out liking Pitt's character. I found him self centered and arrogant.

This changed as the film progressed. In terms of his acting, Pitt was good, but I think tons of other actors could have played that role equally well. Jonah Hill was the best and my fav. I know he had an Oscar nom for this and well deserved.

He is such a comedian in every one of his pieces that he naturally brings some comedy to a serious role. I am torn about how I really feel regarding the theme of the movie. Billy and Peter really did change baseball management strategies and I don't know enough on the topic to say this had been proven successful.

The cost saving element makes sense and I appreciate them giving "undesirable" players a chance to shine, but I felt like by going off money/statistics and abandoning baseball traditions a lot was lost.

I know times change, strategies change and these changes worked for the A's. I don't know anything about sports, but I have always seen teams as units, almost families that look after each other and work together.

I'm not saying this movie doesn't encourage that and again, I'm naive on the topic, but it just felt wrong to watch a team be built on computerized predictions.