Moneyball...A baseball story that hits out of the park!

Moneyball...

Math wizard conjures baseball formula

Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, and Philip Seymour Hoffman

Directed by: Bennett Miller

Written by: Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin

Released: September 2011 

Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport.

Synopsis:  The true story of the Oakland A's Baseball team in 2002, their manager Billy Beane and a statistician nerd, Peter Brand. The team is faced with a grossly meagre budget as compared to other teams in the league, yet the manager is determined, somehow, to beat the odds and compile a team of contenders. By taking on baseball has-beens, and employing an unsung hero computer geek who uses math and logic,  a winning formula emerges in creating a team with true potential.

Moneyball- Trailer

Moneyball combines an unlikely duo, a down and almost out baseball manager, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) , and a Yale economics whiz  kid Peter Brand, (Jonah Hill).  Hill is delightful in his role, portraying a newbie employee, and duck out of water. He delivers his sport-lover passion, and exhibits his intense knowledge of pro-baseball players including their talents, deficiencies and remote details. He rises assuredly, and surprisingly in this dramatic role, diverting from his usual comedic duties.

Brad Pitt is easily tangible in his portrayal of a baseball manager, and does not disappoint in his managerial tasks, interacting with the players, the team's coaching staff, and recruiters. He becomes increasing frustrated with the minimal budget that the team's owner has obligated him to work with, struggling with what needs to be done with any shred of options available. He personally recruits Peter Brand to come to Oakland to figure out how the team can add talented players with minimal money.  By examining various elements of baseball performance stats,  Peter points out insignificant tidbits of information breathing life into why players who were previously tagged as an unpickable lot, should in fact not be overlooked.

The story  is fun,  as much as it is uplifting, because it shifts from a typical baseball story, to embrace technology and the advantages it can offer, by expanding on traditional management methods for the sake of an improved bottom line. While there are expected baseball scenes, the movie is less about the game as a pastime or passion, rather this story highlights the capitalist elements of the sport.  The movie easily encourages us to root for this duo,  and the unorthodox strategies they are able to unearth and heave head-on at everyone. Oscar nominations for this flick are certain to be realized...best actor, best supporting actor, and best film honours!