Moneyball

I rewatch this movie all the time. Like, all the time. So often. I just rewatched it today and it’s only been like 2 weeks since the last time I did. Why? This isn’t just an extremely good sports movie, this is an extremely good film. It feels expertly crafted in every single aspect that it presents. How do you make a sports movie that’s not about playing the sport but how money and players behind the scenes this good? From its shot composition, immensely technical and stark editing, every performance, the score, the script, all of it. It’s so easy to be immersed in a world of numbers and statistics championed in Oakland for a game, that for so long, based the entire way it was played around the skill and promotability of its players. On its surface this should be a boring and often times dull movie, but in its 2 hour run time, which doesn’t even feel like 2 hours, it never is. It hits each beat with such elegance that by the time you see the A’s win that 20th game of their win streak you want to jump out of your seat as the players flood the field from the dugout. You want Billy to stay in Oakland after he’s offered the 12.5 million from the Red Sox. The film so expertly immerses you in this world and keeps you engaged because it, unlike a lot sports films I feel, (there’s so many) is competently made. And that’s not to discredit other sports films, I do love the genre but when it comes down to it no other film in the genre is able to tackle its subject and portray the sense of engagement and passion that Moneyball does. And the majority of the film for that matter happens in conversations, dialogue in offices and over the phone or conference rooms. It’s built so well that when we do get to the field we’re even more engaged in what’s going to happen. You want to be a fucking Oakland A’s fan for pete’s sake by the end of it. I give this film so much credit because it deserves it. It’s exceptional in its genre and film as a whole and I love it to death. I will continue to rewatch this whenever I feel like it and I’ll never be bored of it. No question, five stars. “Every time we talk I’m reinvigorated by my love of the game”