Moneyball (2011)

Unable to put together a winning team due to what he feels are budget constraints, the manager (Brad Pitt) of the Oakland Athletics attempts to use statistics to create a competitive team. Based on the non fiction book by Michael Lewis and directed by Bennett Miller (CAPOTE). A true story, this is a wonderful film. Normally, I'm apathetic to sports films but MONEYBALL isn't a ROCKY clone but an intriguing look at the behind the scenes workings of a struggling baseball team. Its two hours plus running time just flies by. Very little actual time is spent on recreating baseball games but the inside political maneuverings between teams, players and the money men. One needn't be a sports fan to fall under its spell. Pitt, who's in just about every scene, once again proves what a likable screen presence he is as well as a consistently fine actor. Jonah Hill as the team's statistician is very impressive. There's a fine muted score by Mychael Danna. With Philip Seymour Hoffman, a shamefully wasted Robin Wright (who I suspect ended on the cutting room floor), Arliss Howard, Tammy Blanchard, Stephen Bishop, Chris Pratt and Kerris Dorsey in a winning performance as Pitt's 12 year old daughter.