Slow-paced but engaging story that benefits from charismatic performances from the leads

Rating: Null/10 (29 January 2012)

The Oscar nominations this week just added to the reasons I had for wanting to see a film that had been surprisingly praised in the UK when it first came out. I do like baseball – not enough to watch it for hours and hours every few days but enough to go see a game when I'm in the US or sit in a bar there for the important games, but with Moneyball the subject is less the action on the field but more the discussions in the offices. The result of this is a film that lacks the big emotional moments of action that you'll get with other baseball movies, but instead produces a really nice slow-burn that satisfies and engages throughout.
The way it does this is deceptive because it seems all very easy because it doesn't have any moments of "big" writing, no dialogue that soars above the audience, no one moment where the film is all tied up or where the audience feels the urge to applaud. Instead it is really quite natural throughout and it makes for an engaging way to tell the story. The stats are made accessible and the viewer is brought inside the day-to-day of making the approach work but where it really succeeds is in the telling of Beane's story – of him overcoming doubters, sticking to his gut (ironically given his approach) and making it work. He is the heart of the film and he is the reason why I didn't mind spending the games with him, unable to see what was happening but still feeling like I was in the right place.
Pitt is a massive part of this working as well as it does and it is why he got the acting nod. He is natural, charismatic but uses his star-power well to have presence but not to be distant from the viewer. As he has gotten older he seems to have added layers to his acting ability and this and Tree of Life marks an excellent year for him. He is well supported by Jonah Hill who doesn't play up the comedy fat-guy role he so often has, but instead is nervy, insecure and intelligent and the pairing makes for a good combination throughout. Supporting roles are equally good and the film generally has a natural and engaging feel of reality.
It must be said that Moneyball is a slow film and those expecting big moments or something thrilling will be prone to disappointment but this will be to do with their expectations, not the film. In place of this the film produces great performances, a natural air, an accessible tone and a roundly satisfying and engagingly-told story. It won't blow you out of your seat, but it is a solidly strong film from start to finish.