Trouble with the Curve

After watching Clint Eastwood's latest film, Trouble with the Curve, I have to admit I am full of questions.  However, unfortunately, Clint himself isn't here to answer the questions. 

Wait, I have an idea.  Imagine Clint is sitting in this empty chair.  Perhaps, now we'll get some answers.

Now, Mr. Eastwood, I was wondering after spending the last decade or two directing your own films – which tended to be very high-quality if occasionally kinda dull – so what made you decide to take on this film, which is more along the lines of a TV movie, and which you did not direct?

Sir?  Oh no, sir, I'm not trying to be a smart ass.  And no, I don't want you to do that to me.  I'm just asking what it was about this disease-of-the-week screenplay you found intriguing. 

Sir, that is not nice.  I'm not saying you can't make, as you put it, "any old damn piece of shit that you want."   I'm just asking why this one?  Was it the opportunity to work with Amy Adams?  She is very talented.  Or maybe you wanted to teach Justin Timberlake, you know, how to bring the sexy back.

"Sexyback."  Sorry, it was a song.  Yes, Timberlake used to be a singer before he became an actor. 

No, he didn't really do any jazz.  No, I don't think he ever recorded "Bye Bye Blackbird."  He was in a boy band.   No, they weren't a bunch of prancing little fairies.  But we're getting off target here.  This isn't the Republican Convention, this is a movie review.  We're supposed to actually speak about something with substance, even if it is only your silly, fluffy movie.

Sir, I can't do that.  It's not even physically possible.

No, I'm not calling you a liar.  I'm just asking what made you think, you know, baseball scout, bad eyes, riveting film-going experience?

Yes, I know, not being able to see well sucks.  But lots of stuff sucks.  That doesn't necessarily mean that it makes for a good movie. 

No, I didn't know what Obama was responsible for blindness.  That is fascinating, but we are drifting again.  An old guy is too proud to wear glasses.  Is this going to beat Twilight or Michael Bay in the box office?

No, no, I don't think you just worry about box office receipts.  Hell, just looking at The Changeling and Flags for My Father goes to show you threw out commercial considerations long ago. 

Sorry, I didn't mean to be a smart-ass punk.  I'm just saying.  And yes, even though you are 82, I do believe you can still kick my ass.  We're off on the wrong track.  Let's reel it in a bit.  Tell me what you did like about the screenplay for Trouble with the Curve.  Was it the idea of playing an old, crotchety relic who has been left behind by the modern world?  Did that resonate with you somehow?

No, that's not a trick question.  You signed up for it, you must have seen something good there.  Even I will admit that while the story was kind of clichéd, it was fairly well made.

Sir, please stop telling me to do that.  It's not nice and it's not sanitary.  Wait, wait, where are you going?  Mr. Eastwood?  Mr. Eastwood???  Come back.

Wow.  Tough chair.

Dave Strohler

Copyright ©2012 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: September 21, 2012.