by Brian Kesler
Aaron Sorkin seems to have a thing for informative, mathematical, true stories about smart people - with unfailingly sharp dialogue - changing the world with arrogance and self-righteousness. That's the screenplay he wrote for David Fincher's 'The Social Network' - based on a book which is based on life - and that's the screenplay he wrote for Bennett Miller's 'Moneyball' - based on a book which is based on life. Miller made an explosive directorial debut with 'Capote,' and this film continues his natural talent for direction.
As you probably know, 'Moneyball' tells the story of the failing baseball team, the A's, and their incredible 20 game winning streak due to an unconventional business tactic made by the team's general manager, and a former player, Billy Beane. Beane is played by Brad Pitt. The inspiration comes from a young, awkward kid fresh out of Yale. Peter Brand, who becomes the assistant general manager. Brand is played by Jonah Hill. It's an unusual pairing. Pitt has dropped the young action star attitude and has turned, in recent years, to more sophisticated projects, like 'Inglorious Basterds,' and 'The Tree of Life.' Hill, on the other hand is known exclusively as a top-notch comedian in R-Rated Judd Apatow movies. But, for whatever reason, the pairing works. Pitt and Hill play off each other with precision. Pitt holds his own as a comedian against Hill, and Hill - as is the case with most comedians - makes for a fine dramatic actor.
Sorkin can't take full credit for the screenplay, as Steven Zaillian is also listed. Zaillian, known for 'Schindler's List' and 'Gangs of New York,' brings a certain dimension to Beane's back-story that is anything but ambiguous. On the one hand, it makes for nice character study. On the other hand, as is always the case with back stories, the younger actor - Reed Thompson - is obviously a completely different person than Brad Pitt. I know I'll probably be on my own with this one, but it is a genuine pet peeve of mine. I don't like flashbacks. I don't like two adult actors trying to pass as younger/older versions of each other - especially when they're in such a close age proximity. It pulls me out of my absorption of the story and makes me realize the artificiality of the movie. I would've liked, perhaps, a more mysterious, less detailed account of Beane's back story. Brand and Beane talk about it plenty. That would have sufficiently brought dimension and weight to Beane as a character.
That is just about my one complaint. The film is beautifully paced, thanks to editor Christopher Tellefsen, who worked with Miller on 'Capote'; and well photographed, thanks to cinematographer Wally Pfister, who made our hair stand up with his deliciously grotesque photography in 'The Dark Knight.' The soundtrack is nearly perfect - it is not overloaded with score, thank God - and gives us a sense of character, emotionality, and atmosphere.
The actors are all terrific. Aside from Pitt and Hill, we have Philip Seymour Hoffman - who is always intriguing and enriching to observe - Robin Wright, and Chris Pratt. Not to mention Kerris Dorsey, who plays Pitt's daughter. With such natural talent for acting and a killer singing voice, this girl's got a great career ahead of her. IMDb also lists Spike Jonez in the cast list, but I never saw him. I might see the film again, just to be on the lookout.
'Moneyball,' is a great movie. It's inspirational, but not cloyingly so. It goes beyond being a sports movie. It's about people giving everything they have for what they believe in. It's about taking risks. It's a movie about people who are sick of things being run the way they've always been. It's about provoking change, as well as the resistance to change. As we see the difficulties Beane and Brand underwent in trying to get people to help change the system, it seems only too paralleled to the current political climate, and Barack Obama's unfortunate failing in fulfilling his initial mission: change. No matter how much you advertise for it, there will always be resistance. Beane still faces rebuttal. The A's may have had a winning streak, but they eventually lost. Losing does not make people enthusiastic about change.
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