The accessible biopic/sports drama “Moneyball” provides an
extensive look at the business of baseball, getting behind the scenes and
dissecting the mechanics of assembling a functional team. It’s also based on the
fascinating true story of an underdog figure whose maverick efforts challenged
conventional thinking.
Brad Pitt surprises with his inspired portrayal of Billy
Beane, a promising baseball player who didn’t quite achieve his dreams. Shifting
to scouting and management, Billy eventually tries a new gambit after his
team’s resounding defeat: he hires oddball analyst Peter Brand (Jonah Hill),
who helps him revamp the Oakland
“Moneyball” manages to make the sport and its complicated
team-shaping practices interesting and comprehensible to non-baseball fans.
There’s a lively synergy between the parlance and the imagery, partly making the drama
intriguing. But it’s Billy Beane’s tale that actually hooks; there are times
when the viewer will question his perfectionist and idealist traits, and admire
his morale-boosting tactics and no-nonsense attitude.
Directed by Bennett Miller (“Capote”), the film immensely
benefits from the deft portrayals of Pitt and Hill, the latter effectively
subtle as the brains behind the more adventurous player suggestions.
“Moneyball” opens today, March 7.
