Capsule Review: A Few Thoughts on MONEYBALL
Bennett Miller proves he is one of the boldest new American directors. The tone, the dedication to the story, the actors' direction...
Brad Pitt is extraordinary in his turn as an ordinary man. The last shot of the film alone (close-up of Pitt's eyes listening to his daughter's music) is worthy of Best Actor. Throughout the film, one can really sense the pain of a man who never let go of his crushed dream. Just the way he sits in his chair, flabby, shapeless - with his long legs - makes us feel the years and years of fatigue of a weared-out guy.
The greatest achievement of the picture lies in using baseball as a greater canvas, to tell the story of two people who believe in an ideal, and fight hard to change their game, to change their world.
Jonah Hill is absolutely exceptional, and his chemistry with Pitt is unique. Their caring for each other, the friendship of their characters is genuine. This is one of the rare instances when two actors - a great actor and a younger one, on a highway to greatness - fed each other performances to the extent of not only creating two human beings on screen but also one profound human relationship.
And mark my words, Hill will make his place in acting history. Although by all means, he is an original and truthful actor, Hill's ability to find comedy in drama and drama in comedy brings forth relevant comparisons to his idol, Dustin Hoffman.
TZ
(03/25/2012)
Brad Pitt is extraordinary in his turn as an ordinary man. The last shot of the film alone (close-up of Pitt's eyes listening to his daughter's music) is worthy of Best Actor. Throughout the film, one can really sense the pain of a man who never let go of his crushed dream. Just the way he sits in his chair, flabby, shapeless - with his long legs - makes us feel the years and years of fatigue of a weared-out guy.
The greatest achievement of the picture lies in using baseball as a greater canvas, to tell the story of two people who believe in an ideal, and fight hard to change their game, to change their world.
Jonah Hill is absolutely exceptional, and his chemistry with Pitt is unique. Their caring for each other, the friendship of their characters is genuine. This is one of the rare instances when two actors - a great actor and a younger one, on a highway to greatness - fed each other performances to the extent of not only creating two human beings on screen but also one profound human relationship.
And mark my words, Hill will make his place in acting history. Although by all means, he is an original and truthful actor, Hill's ability to find comedy in drama and drama in comedy brings forth relevant comparisons to his idol, Dustin Hoffman.
TZ
(03/25/2012)
