Moneyball MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +4 Content: +2

Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Sports biopic. Written by Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian. Directed by Bennett Miller.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Based on the true story of Billy Beane – once a would-be baseball superstar who turned his fiercely competitive nature to management. Heading into the 2002 season, Billy faces a dismal situation: his small-market Oakland A's have lost their star players (again) to big market clubs (and their enormous salaries) and is left to rebuild his team and compete with a third of their payroll. Driven to win, Billy takes on the system by challenging the fundamental tenants of the game. He looks outside of baseball, to the dismissed theories of Bill James, and hires Peter Brand, a brainy, number-crunching, Yale-educated economist. Together they take on conventional wisdom with a willingness to reexamine everything and armed with computer driven statistical analysis long ignored by the baseball establishment.

PREVIEW REVIEW: It’s just what we have come to expect from screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Rock, A Few Good Men), perceptive writing that’s also witty and absorbing. Director Bennett Miller (Capote) uses every element at a director’s disposal to hold our attention while he takes his time to tell his story. And the cast is superb, with special kudos to Brad Pitt, who though he seems to channel Robert Redford in appearance, style and mannerisms, proves he is more than a handsome movie star. The guy is a very good actor. (I hope I look that good when I’m his age.)

Fascinating, funny, and moving, Moneyball is truly one of the best films of the year.

(BTW: that’s a joke above – I’m 11 years older than Mr. Pitt and on my best day I never, well, I’m sure you get the idea.)

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Sony Pictures