Not just baseball !!

Film: Moneyball
Director: Bennett Miller
Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt,  Kerris Dorsey 
Genre: Drama | Sports


At some point in our life, we all confront challenges which unavoidably demand change in our thinking. Bennett Miller’s biographical sports drama ‘Moneyball’ adroitly talks about that change, which actually is precondition for living. It is a poignant story of an Oakland Athletics baseball team which is consistently performing poor and all of a sudden does wonders when Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt) adopts new approach to the game.    


Oakland baseball team is not only morally down but is also financially kaput. Departure of 3 key players from team just adds fuel to the fire and now Billy Beane, the general manager of the team along with a cluster of experienced scouts is supposed to change the fortune of the team.

In Cleveland Indians, Billy meets rotund nerd Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill) who at first sight & dialogue seems extremely foolish but later on proves that he’s a whiz kid. His impeccable statistics of player analysis helps Billy reconstruct the team. Consequence is far beyond anyone’s belief. 20 consecutive victories (world record!). And this takes Billy Beane’s career to orbit.


Billy has been a dismal failure as baseball player, his marriage is already broken & he is on verge of losing job. Character of Billy Beane has enough depth to make viewers sympathize for him. Pitt easily manages to depict frustration and his acting is so impressive that it didn’t look like he was acting even for a second.


On other hand is Jonah Hill who’s undeniably film’s biggest and most pleasant surprise. His naïve expressions, ability to represent character’s passion for the game and excellent dialogue delivery establishes that no other actor could’ve possibly done that sort of justice.

Screenplay of  Moneyball is outstanding. And how can it not be ! Duo Sorkin & Zaillian have injected tremendous energy to table conversations. Body language is a vital asset of people associated with sports. I was immensely impressed with Pitt’s body-language during the table conversation when he takes the charge and expresses his idea with sheer buoyancy.


One of the most touching moments of the film comes in climax when Billy while driving listens "the show" sung graciously by his daughter Casey (played by Kerris Dorsey) which surmises his entire life.


Potency of the film lies in the fact that even a viewer with bare minimum knowledge of baseball will be able to cherish it and more importantly, feel it.

Rating: 3.5/5