Trouble with the Curve Movie Review

Director: Robert Lorenz

UK Release Date: 30th November 2012

Running Time: 11 minutes

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake, Amy Adams, John Goodman

When we first saw that "Trouble with the Curve" was going to be released we were very excited about watching it.  However, for one reason or another, it has taken us over a year to actually get around to watching the movie and for some other reason the longer we left it the less we wanted to see it.  Luckily, we were not disappointed with "Trouble with the Curve" and found that it was a good film but far from spectacular. 

The storyline focuses on Gus (Clint Eastwood), a nearly retired baseball scout and old age is slowly taking its toll on him.  In a world where most sports are now feeling the influence of technology, Gus's club are starting to think he is surplus to requirements and with a tough relationship with this daughter, Mickey (Amy Adams), life is becoming more of a struggle. 

Without the likes of Eastwood and Adams we are not sure how this film would have turned out.  It was another solid performance by Eastwood, who gave his usual and very good rough-tough performance.  Adams played the counter role perfectly.  The two complimented each other on screen really well which gave great depth to both of their characters.  This was very pivotal in the film as the story evolves around Gus as a non-existent father figure and Mickey as the innocent and needing her father figure.  This relationship is probably the best thing about the film in terms of depth as the rest focuses on plot lines rather than character relationships. 

Other big names that feature in this film are Justin Timberlake and John Goodman with the latter giving the sort of performance we come to expect.  Timberlake however, was average.  It certainly was not one of his best performances but we are not sure it was the right role for him. For us, Timberlake looked out of his depth against good performances from Eastwood, Adams and Goodman on the contrary to "Runner Runner" (2013) where he was one of the better things to come out of a disappointing film and cast performances. 

"Trouble with the Curve" is a solid film with good performances from the cast. If you are a fan of baseball then it will be definitely a film for you, although it can be enjoyed by those who are not fans as well. As a film it can offer a few things for the audience; the first being a story about baseball and another the troubled relationship between father and daughter.  This, at times, was very emotional and has to be accredited to Adams and Eastwood's performances. Although rather predictable, the film is an entertaining watch and is good to view.

M+F Rating: 7/10

Reviewed by M+F Reviews.

The Class of '92 Review: Fame Doesn't Have to Change Us

 

Directors: Gabe Turner, Ben Turner 

 

UK Release Date: 29th November 2013

 

Running Time: 99 minutes 

 

Starring: David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Phil  Neville, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs 

 

 

The Class of '92 is a documentary based on six talented football (soccer) players who rose from the youth ranks at Manchester United Football Club - one of the most well known teams in the world and who enjoyed success after success.  Directed by brothers Ben and Gabe Turner the documentary was able to film a get together of the selected six players to discuss their careers.  It also features interviews with footballing legends, Eric Cantona and Zinidine Zidane; film maker Danny Boyle and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.  You do not have to be a football lover to enjoy this documentary film as it links in the change in society and culture that was taking place through the nineties in the United Kingdom.

 

Six players, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, are the players this film champions as those who 'inspired a generation.'  All from humble beginnings they rose to fame playing for Manchester United from winning the FA Youth Cup in 1992 to winning the Treble in the 1998-1999 season. 

"In our eyes, we were just playing a game of football with our mates." - Paul Scholes



This documentary film is more about friendship for us here at M+F Reviews than it is about football. The films cuts from real interviews from throughout their careers to a recent meet up of the players and you can see nothing has changed.  They are laughing and joking about growing up together and you can see that deep down they are still the young boys they were when they first joined United.  The bond between them is ever present and it is really nice to watch. It is refreshing to see that fame does not have to change you and these six players show there modesty because to them they were just playing a game of football with their best friends. 

 

The Turner's have created a documentary film that is near on perfect with great balance between scenes. Clips of football matches cut to shots of Manchester and the UK during the same period showing how the two complimented each other. The people who feature as interviewees on the film give great insights into many different aspects, with the selection of those who discuss the relevant issues being spot on. It is not too football orientated and those who are interviewed are from different fields of expertise but they are able to still relate to the direction of the film. Tony Blair contributes by adding how politics were changing during the period and how Manchester United affected this.  Gary 'Mani' Mounfield (the bassist of The Stone Roses) provides great cultural insight while also demonstrating his passion for the club he supports. 

 

 

 

So what are they doing now? The idea for The Class of  '92 came from Gary Neville, now a top TV pundit/presenter for Sky Sports.  Ryan Giggs is the only player who still currently plays for the club even at the age of 40 while Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are all associated with the club in coaching roles. David Beckham is in talks to buy a football franchise in the United States of America while also maintaining his reputation as a global superstar.

 

It certainly is a great documentary film that will inspire a generation - but not just footballers - film directors as well.  It is a fine example of how to make an excellent documentary and thanks goes to Gabe and Ben Turner for allowing The Class of '92 to be a superb watch for anyone. Do not be put off viewing the film because you do not like Manchester United - if you do this you will miss out on one of the best football/cultural/social film documentaries of recent times.

 

M+F Rating: 8/10
 

 

Reviewed by M+F Reviews.