Trouble With The Curve Review

• 27th Nov 2012

Clint Eastwood returns to screens (in his early 80’s no less) playing a Baseball scout who is starting to lose his sight in Trouble With the Curve.

What surprises about the film is that while our lead characters main issue with his vision is there throughout, the focus turns very swiftly onto the relationship with his all but estranged daughter Amy Adams). Or to be more accurate – the relationship the Daughter has with her father.

Amy Adam’s character takes centre stage for the majority of the film leaving Eastwood and Timberlake as decent supporting players to her story. And it’s this story that does most of the convincing work and has the most resonance.

This is a blessing as the first 30 minutes of the film are lumbered with some of the most unsubtle moments in recent cinema history where the filmmakers decided it was probably best to show and tell what points they were wanting to make. It’s a shame too as “eye rolling” when important dramatic effects are being displayed on screen isn’t a good response for any audience.

But once you are past all the “hammering it home” visuals and dialogue (and background music in one instance – Yes we know what song Eastwood was singing to his wife’s grave, you don’t need to then play it the moment he finishes) the second half of the film finds real strength and Adam’s performance as a tortured soul, desperate to make a connection with her father. So desperate that she puts her own promotion as a partner in the firm she works for at risk by hitting the road with her dad to scout new players for the team he works for.

It is great to see Eastwood back on screen, and having lost none of his onscreen charisma or tough guy stance (and yes fans will enjoy spotting the trademark Eastwood wink in there too). Timberlake has the more difficult role of “Plot Device” and being there so another character can express their plight. But he’s talented enough to at least give his character a warm and endearing personality.

The end does wrap things up a little bit too neatly and, in the case of Timberlake, for the sake of it, but it’s still a decent enough drama worth watching for the performances alone.

Steven Hurst