Trouble with the Curve 
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, Matthew Lillard
Directed by Robert Lorenz
Rated: PG-13
Run Time: 111 mins
Genre: Comedy/ Family/ Animation/ Adventure/ 3D Film
Opens September 21st
By Lisa Minzey
Another screening we checked out this week is Trouble with the Curve, the new film starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and John Goodman. A few fun facts: Clint Eastwood came out of acting retirement to work on the film, his first project since 2008’s Grand Torino. This is the first film he has not directed him self in since 1993. Trouble with the Curve also marks the directorial debut of Robert Lopez, a longtime collaborator of Eastwood’s past projects.
In the world of sports, it takes talent to succeed, not only from the athletes but by the people that can spot the talent. Legendary Baseball Scout for the Atlanta Braves, Gus Lobel (Clint Eastwood) has been experiencing the hardships of old age. The most fundamental sense he needs for his job he is losing more & more of each week: his vision.
Gus’s behavior has not gone unnoticed by Brave’s management, especially when another younger scout, Tom Silver (Matthew Lillard) has been dropping hints to the management that it may be time to cut Gus loose. Scout Manager and Gus’s friend for more than 30 years, Pete Klein (John Goodman), concerned for Gus’s future, gives him a heads up that on the scouting trip for the #1 draft pick Bo Gentry (Joe Massingill) maybe his last if he does not succeed. Gus, being the grumpy old man he is, brushes of Pete’s warning and tells him, he will see him when he returns.
Concerned for his friend’s well being, Pete seeks help from Gus’s daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) to help him through the (possible his last) scout trip. Mickey and her father are not close, as he was estranged most of her childhood, so asking her go on this trip is asking for a huge favor. In her career, she is on the verge of making partner at her law firm if she wins a pivotal case, so the news of her father’s condition could not have come at a worse time. The more that Mickey tries to talk to Gus about issues in their relationship, the further Gus pushes away, especially when Mickey shows up in North Carolina to help out with the scouting. After much hemming and hawing on Gus’s part, he allows Mickey to stay because she is the only one that knows what he looks for in a player. Another scout from the Boston Red Sox shows up to bid for Bo turns out to be a previous Gus scout pick from years ago, Johnny Flanagan (Justin Timberlake).
As the trip progresses, Johnny turns his attention from the field to Mickey, who has too many defenses up open up. Will Mickey and Gus be able to heal their relationship and find the balance they desperately need? Will Gus be forced into retirement or does experience still beat technology when it comes to spotting true talent?
This film seems to have all the draws of some of the more notable baseball films such as Moneyball, Bull Durham and Field of Dreams, but lacks the originality that makes those films unique. The more notable issues of the film are that the dialogue is weak, and it takes some time to get interesting. The end half of the film is more engaging and entertaining. Amy Adams was fantastic in her role, delivering a strong and endearing performance along side Eastwood and Goodman. Overall, it was entertaining so check it out when it opens in theaters nationwide Friday September 21, 2012.
