Director: Bennett Miller
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Phillip Seymour Hoffman
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses have made movies which fulfill audiences like Jonah Hill. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Hill has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s comic Wall Street stockbrokers, mischievous teenagers or bold baseball managers, Hill has portrayed several interesting characters. Arguably, Hill’s greatest strength as an actor is his energy. He is one of those rare actors that has often had energetic presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Although he is most famous for his comical roles, Hill has often ventured out of his comfort zone by making dramatic films. An actor with a strong commitment towards his craft, Hill has become a celebrated icon in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray strong characters that audiences can easily relate to, Hill has become a commemorated icon which audiences value. Throughout his commemorated career, Hill has created many unforgettable movies in a wide range of commemorated genres which are worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hill and adore all the movies which he has produced in his career. However, “Moneyball” is my favourite. Since its release in 2011, Bennet Miller’s movie has become an engaging baseball classic. Packed with strong production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about baseball. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Jonah Hill, who portrays a baseball manager seeking success in competitive game. Ultimately, what makes “Moneyball” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about baseball, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the game of baseball to appreciate it. An engaging masterpiece about baseball managers, there’s many strong reasons why “Moneyball” is a film that’s worth seeing.
Based on a true story, “Moneyball” follows the life of a baseball manager seeking success in a tense game. Brad Pitt portrays Billy Beane, a conflicted baseball manager seeking success in a game causing disaster. Employed by the Oakland Athletics team, baseball has always been Billy’s dream. He has commonly had an aptitude for assembling teams through strong judgement. However, Bean’s life dramatically changes when he discovers a way to assemble teams using computers. Assisted by his sports partner Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), Bean seeks to design a team using computer generated analytical numbers. As he discovers ways to reinvent the game of baseball, Bean seeks to find ways to celebrate a team that’s simple to recall. Facing a dilemma, Bean questions if it’s possible to achieve success in a game which occurs in America. Finding it difficult to play a tough game, Bean questions whether it’s truly possible to achieve fame.
Bennett Miller is a newcomer towards themes of baseball. Before he directed “Moneyball”, Miller had never made a movie about baseball in his career. Miller was known for producing biopics about iconic authors. With “Moneyball”, however, he created his first sports drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers endured by baseball managers, but he succeeds tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Miller captures a baseball manager embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes as stunning as baseball games that Billy Bean seeks to organize. Miller effectively uses montages capturing a baseball manager seeking to design teams that are compelling. For instance, montages elevate the analytical games scene. During this captivating scene, Bean endeavours to find ways of analyzing baseball games through statistical analysis. One appreciates montages capturing intense hardships baseball managers are enduring. Montages are tricky techniques. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” claimed, montages elevate biopics about Wall Street stockbrokers. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Miller captures the hardships that baseball players are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Moneyball” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Miller effectively uses production of baseball stadiums to capture the lives of managers which are engaging. For instance, the production design of stadiums enhances the game scene. During this engaging scene, Billy witnesses a baseball game played by his team. One appreciates production design of stadiums which pay tribute towards baseball. Baseball stadiums are tricky settings to use in movies. As Kevin Costner’s “Field of Dreams” suggested, baseball stadiums elevate fantasy movies about sports games. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Mychael Danna’s commemorated music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that baseball managers that organize games bear. Through bold production design, Miller demonstrates lives of commemorated managers facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Moneyball” is a captivating movie which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses flashbacks to capture tension baseball managers are facing. Aaron Sorkin’s greatest screenwriting strength is his ability to capture tensions faced by baseball managers through flashbacks. Throughout the movie, Sorkin effectively uses flashbacks to capture the lives of baseball managers that reflect on their experiences. For instance, the flashbacks elevate the team offer sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Bean recalls memories of the time when he was offered a deal of a lifetime to play for the Oakland A’s. Through engaging flashbacks. Mille creates a strong character which audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Greg Mottola’s “Superbad” demonstrated, montages enhance high school comedies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Miller captures the lives of baseball managers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Jonah Hill delivers one of his greatest career performances as Peter Brand. Hill rise gained appreciation for playing mischievous teens in celebrated school comedies. With “Moneyball”, however, the actor took step out of his comfort zone by playing a baseball manager which is well known. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: bold, serious and thoughtful in his most memorable role. It’s a role which gave the actor the rare chance to showcase strong emotional range that he hadn’t shown in his career before. With riveting expressions, hw captures the angst, grief and determination of a baseball manager seeking success in an intense game. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most underrated actors that’s working today.
Brad Pitt is brilliant as a baseball manager that seeks success in a competitive game facing a downfall. Pitt has always had an aptitude for playing bold characters in positions of power, and “Moneyball” showcased his strengths as an actor. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a rare opportunity to showcase his charisma. Whether he’s expressing his love for the game of baseball or spending valuable great time bonding with his daughter, Pitt effectively uses his body language to create a commemorated baseball manager that’s compelling. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
The final, most notable stand out in the cast is Phillip Seymour Hoffman. As a compassionate baseball manager, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Moneyball” Will earn appreciation of ebeyrone for capturing the game of baseball. Unlike most movies about baseball; it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes anxiety, grief and dedication which would resonate will everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of baseball to appreciate it. Therefore; “Moneyball” is one of those rare commemorated movies about the game of baseball everyone hold definitely adore.
Fans of Jonah Hill will definitely appreciate “Moneyball” and so will movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A captivating sports biopic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about baseball managers seeking success gathering teams to win games that are captivating, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 