Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt), is the general manager of the Oakland A’s, who has just had his best players poached by teams that can afford to pay a lot more. Fed up with how money twists the game, he listens to Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), who persuades him that certain players are being undervalued for trivial reasons, such as age, ability to catch, ability to hit the ball hard enough to run all the bases… Statistics revealed hidden strengths that could, when used in the right combinations, produce a winning season. Beane takes Brand’s advice going for the more “bang for our buck” strategy, then has to fight everyone else around him to follow it through. His job is at stake but Billy Beane hangs tight, believing that this formula could change the way people think about baseball, and the value of players.
I am not a big sports movie fan and at first sight, this movie for me would have been (and was) a pass for me. It was not until the night of the Oscars when I listened to the awards it was up for, and seen a few clips of the movie that it started to peek my interest.
What sealed the deal?
It is a true story. Always one to cheer for the underdog, I do like true stories of triumph against all odds. When I did rent Moneyball for Al (hubby) and I to watch, in my head, it was more for him. As busy as he is, it is hard to engage him in a movie, any movie, without him falling asleep.
He fell asleep.
But here is the kicker, or I guess the hitter, in this case… instead of turning it off at that point and seeing if he wanted to finish it the next evening, I kept on watching. Billy Beane sets out to beat the budget, and the big wigs who have far more years and experience than he, fight him all the way to the field.
I was invested, connected to Billy Beane and his vision of taking several lesser valued players, benched in some cases, and giving them back their dream, or at least the chance to reach for the stars again. And the magic of this? Is that they do just that, and the rest is history at its finest.
As for Al, well… he did finish the next night, which is not always the case, and when out with friends I heard him asking the guys if they had seen Moneyball as it was an incredible movie.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes true stories, great goals, Brad Pitt (or not), baseball (or not), an excellent drama that is easily family friendly.
Book Journey 
I liked this movie but didn’t think it was worthy of an Oscar.
I can not remember if it won anything…. there were a few that surprised met hat they were up for awards.
LOL, on your husband falling asleep! I’m usually the one who falls asleep. I had no idea what this movie was about until I read your review. My husband loves sports, me not-so-much but I might watch this one with him. Thanks for the review!
I was so bummed when he did Laurie, but I couldnt wait for him… I had to know what happened 😀
My son from L.A., who works in movie production, highly recommended it, so I plan to see it at some point.
And seeing Brad would be a bonus…lol
I bet you will like it then Laurel – I am not a big “Pitt” fan, but did enjoy the movie. 😀
I really want to watch this one, not just for Brad either. I really like Jonah. I watched his interview with Oprah Winfrey and he just seems so down to earth.
Staci this is actually a good movie role for Jonah. I really appreciated him in this role more than some of his past work.
I know it’s a cliche, but the book is so much better. It gets right into the history and psychology of Billy Beane and how he ticks. The chapter chronicling the trade deadline is some of the best non-fiction writing off the past decade.
Oh, and there’s lots more about Bill James, the guy that revolutionized baseball statistics.
I highly recommend the read.
Maybe a cliche Ryan, but a true one. Thanks Ryan, recommendation appreciated 😀
I found this to be a pretty good movie, as well. I don’t know ANYTHING about baseball, but it’s more about Beane and Peter taking a chance and the playing the odds against other teams. I also loved the line, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?” So true. 🙂
I dont anything about it either! 😀 That was a great line!
I liked it too, but I’m a baseball fan. I had to wait 3 weeks to rent this one from the library and then my husband does the same thing, he fell asleep!
LOL…. men! 😀
I saw this in the theaters (by myself) and just loved it. Not being a baseball fan by any stretch of the imagination, I mostly went for Mr. Pitt but ended up being wrapped up in it.
Yes, I really enjoyed it too… Pitt or no Pitt 😀
I assumed my husband would fall asleep, but he actually stayed awake and I don’t think it was because of Brad Pitt. 😀 We thought it was a good movie but were kind of thrown by the technical stuff about baseball – and we are definitely baseball fans.
LOL… you are right, probably not due to Brad Pitt…. 😛
We all enjoyed this movie, Sheila (my hubby, 17-yo son, and I). None of us is a baseball fan, but I agree with you – it’s a good movie whether you’re into baseball or not.
Sue
Oh yeah…. I really liked it 😀