Oscar special: Steven Zallian, Aaron Sorkin combo work for 'Moneyball'

Bennett Miller’s Moneyball benefits greatly from the presence of two of Hollywood’s most talented writers, Steven Zallian and Aaron Sorkin, collaborating on the script. The scenes between Oakland Athletics baseball general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) and his assistant Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) are memorable, the camaraderie between the two actors interesting and the dialogues sparkling with wit. When Beane asks Brand, “Would you rather get one shot in the head or five in the chest and bleed to death?”, Brand’s reply is, “Are those my only two options?”

Hill, really, is the life of the film, shining in every scene and playing the perfect foil to Pitt’s shenanigans. He’s rightly scored his first Best Actor In A Supporting Role nomination, along with Pitt who’s in the running for Best Actor. Frankly, though, I was left slightly underwhelmed by Pitt’s act — he was good, but I couldn’t see what he brought to the role another actor could not.

His portrayal of the strict, arrogant father in The Tree Of Life was really his better performance of the year. In any case, the chances of Pitt clinching the award are minimal, with George Clooney, Jean Dujardin and Gary Oldman (for Tinker Tailkor Soldier Spy) in competition. The film, in spite of six nominations, just might go empty-handed unless the Sorkin-Zallian can score one for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Nominated for
Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Film Editing
Best Sound Mixing