Family is What Matters Most!

Rating: 9/10 (10 March 2014)

Trouble with the Curve is the latest film that has baseball as it's "main" theme, but this film goes beyond the meaning of baseball. This film is about family and what family means to each everybody. Though predictable, this film offers enough substance to keep the audience entertained. It's nice to see Clint Eastwood take another starring role, especially after when he said Gran Torino would be his last. As a baseball fan, this is a good movie. But as a lover of cinema, this is also good in "cinema" terms.
This is the directing debut for Robert Lorenz who worked with Eastwood in many of his films. Clint plays Gus, an aging baseball scout who is tasked to scout this big-time prospect for the Atlanta Braves. But his vision is rapidly declining, so his friend Pete has asked his estranged daughter, Mickey to keep an eye on Gus despite his stubbornness.
If this is truly Eastwood's last acting role, it's a good hurrah. It's not his best role, but the grizzled actor reminded me much of his role in Gran Torino. Amy Adams, as always, is perfect in her role. Justin Timberlake is decent, not great. I really liked Matthew Lillard as the computer sleazebag and totally different than his usual roles.
Overall, this is a fun movie to watch and passes as good escapism. It's not the kind of drama that will win awards, but it's one that will play with your emotions and is sentimental to a fault. It's a bit predictable at times, but the performances makes this predictability not matter. A good sports film with a great message regarding family. I rate this film 9/10.