Trouble with the Curve

Rating: 5/10 (30 August 2013)

The ageing star of Gran Torino said that the 2008 film would be his last acting role, so it was a surprise to everyone when he returned four years with for this film, that also had an impressive list of supporting stars, and it looked like a nice simple watch. Basically ageing Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood) is the baseball scout for the Atlanta Braves, but he is nearing the end of his contract, team manager Vince (Robert Patrick) thinks it may be time for him to consider retirement, and meanwhile the grumpy Gus has developed problems with his sight, he hides this from everyone. Knowing baseball is Gus's pride and joy, and that retirement would kill him, his boss and friend Pete Klein (John Goodman) asks him to scout promising new player Bo Gentry (Joe Massingill) in North Caroline, and Pete also wards off Phillip Sanderson (Matthew Lillard) who wants Gu fired and to take his position. Gus's estranged daughter Mickey Lobel (Amy Adams) is an efficient lawyer who works alongside in the office with colleague Todd (James Patrick Freetly), she is in with a chance to get a partnership, but Pete asks her to travel to North Caroline to try and reconnect and help him any way she can. Mickey has a passion for baseball herself, and since childhood when she used to travel with her father she has a great knowledge of the sport, but she has been traumatised she since he abandoned her when she young and left her with an uncle. Also in North Caroline is former pitcher Johnny Flanagan (Justin Timberlake) who since getting a shoulder injury has had an early retirement and has become a scout himself for the Boston Red Sox and is trying to become a broadcaster, Gus and he has a friendly history, and when he meets Mickey they are mutually attracted to each other. Over the next few days Gus struggles more with his eye sight, which at one point causes a bad car accident, but after recovering he continues his job and sees that there are problems with Gentry trying to hit the ball pitched in curve, Gus does not go into much detail but is not recommending the young player to be on the team. Vince is advised by Phillip to hire Gentry for the team anyway, they are unaware of his "trouble with the curve", but Mickey, who is officially in a relationship with Johnny, sees the opportunity to show them the problem with Rigo Sanchez (Jay Galloway), originally a baseball food vendor, who proves a skilled pitcher, with the ability to throw balls at high speed, including a curve. The staff realise Gus was right, they show intent to sign Rigo (with Mickey possibly being his agent) and downgrade Bo's player status, Phillip is fired for his remarks, Gus is given an extended contract, Mickey realises she is much more enthusiastic about baseball and shows signs she will quit the law firm, Johnny waiting for them approaches and he and Mickey embrace their love and kiss, and Gus gives a faint smile, lights a cigar and walks away. Also starring Bob Gunton as Watson and Scott Eastwood, Clint's son as Billy Clark. Eastwood as usual is great being grouchy, using bad language but also being a likable father figure, Adams gives a good performance as the daughter reconnecting with him and enjoying her favourite sport, Timberlake proves again a terrific actor being the love interest of the daughter, and the supporting cast members do well also. The story may be a little predictable at times, probably more so with the baseball stuff, but the father and daughter relationship works well, and the mini romantic element is nice to watch as well, all in all it is good sports drama. Clint Eastwood was number 18 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, and he was number 61 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Worth watching!