2011 Rewind: Moneyball


It's hard to believe, but 2011 was 15 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2011 that are turning 15 in 2026. Today, it's a tale from the diamond.

Billy Beane: Let them make the mistakes. When your enemy's making mistakes, don't interrupt them. They're giving you an out. Just giving it to you. Take it. Say "thank you."

Moneyball
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Chris Pratt, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Director: Bennett Miller
About: It's hard to take a non-fiction book about the business of baseball, and how to manipulate it with statistics and no money, and make it a compelling film. I'm sure there aren't many that read Moneyball and immediately saw it as an enduring film. And yet, that's what it's become. Even 15 years later it's a classic. I also didn't know I needed a buddy comedy starring Pitt and Hill, but we get that with Moneyball, and it's top shelf. The direction here is solid, but a good deal of credit is owed to the script from Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. I love Pitt in the lead role, and this is one of the best supporting spots Hill has ever done. It's a film about strategy, statistics, and taking a chance. And it works beautifully. It even helps you understand the role of the General Manager a little better. As the boys of summer are reporting for Spring Training, this is a great film to fire up and get you ready for the season.

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