This is what losing sounds like.....

Rating: 9/10 (29 January 2012)

In 2001, General Manager Billy Beane's Oakland A's lose to the Yankees in the playoffs then lose three stars to free agency.
To the consternation of his scouts, Beane hires and listens to Peter Brand, a recent Yale grad who evaluates players using Bill James' statistical approach.
Beane assembles a team of no names who, on paper, can get on base and score runs.
Then, Beane's manager, Art Howe, won't use the players as Beane wants.
Can Beane circumvent Howe, win games, and make it to the 2002 Series..
I'm English, so I have no concept or interest in the game of baseball, I played rounders at school and it was the closest thing we had.
So I had no idea what I was expecting, just wanted to see the movie because of the plaudits it has received, and the blindingly intriguing notion of Hill putting in an Oscar nominated performance.
And while some of the films references and Baseball speak goes over my head, the feeling of emotion that emulates from PItt and Hill is very much there, and makes the film what it is, a marvellous portrayal of two men who start from scratch and against the odds, make it.
Now it sounds like any other struggling sports movie, but thanks to some very funny moments, and Pitt and Hills chemistry, it puts it yo there as one of the best sports dramas ever made.
The film reaches it's peak when little gestures of the hands by the two stars when closing a deal gives the audience goose bumps. Simple things like this make the film more interesting, despite the heavy subject matter.
It's a film that can be viewed several times on many levels. An education into the world of Baseball and how money rules the game, an underdog feel good film, or just an excuse to see Pitt and Hill give their best performances.
It's not for everyone, it does become really slow at times, but the script more than makes up for the pace.
But it's truly a memorable film, made better with performances and some stunning set pieces.