TROUBLE WTH THE CURVE (M) is the first film in twenty years that Clint Eastwood is starring in that he didn’t also direct.

Helming duties have been inherited by Clint’s long time first assistant director Robert Lorenz and he acquits himself competently in this story of a veteran baseball scout suffering macular degeneration and certain forced retirement.

There’s something about baseball and boxing that brings out good solid narratives and TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE, though not in the league of home runners like BULL DURHAM or FIELD OF DREAMS, remains a solid, even old fashioned, entertainment.

Randy Brown’s debut script is a well made blueprint and a super cast, attracted to co-starring with Clint no doubt, keeps it buoyant and papers over any cracks.

Clint’s characterisation of cussing Gus is a kissin’ cousin to Gran Torino’s Walt and Million Dollar Baby’s Frankie, full of cranky, cantankerous grunt.

Countering him as his estranged daughter Mickey is Amy Adams in another feather in her bow performance hot on the heels of her star turn in THE MASTER. Adams imbues Mickey with a steely determination mixed with a heartbreaking fragility that’s mesmerising.

Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Ed Lauter, Robert Patrick and Matthew Lillard give athletic support.

Although not directed by Clint, many of his collaborators have key posts on the production, including director of photography Tom Stern, production designer James Murakami, and editors Joel Cox and Gary Roach. Not classic Clint but definitely worth stepping up to the plate.

© Richard Cotter

4th December, 2012

Tags: Sydney Movie Reviews- TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE, Clint Eastwood, Randy Brown, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Ed Lanter, Robert Patrick, Matthew Lillard, Tom Stern, James Marakami, Joel Cox, Gary Roach, Sydney Arts Guide, Richard Cotter