Moneyball has a fairly nostalgic look, not one harkening to the time it takes place -the mid 90s- but perhaps the 60s, a time I identify in film by the hue of their greens and blues, fairly dark mid tones, cream highlights, and lowish saturation levels.
This look reminds me of the men in the story who sit at the table as advisers to the Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt). Men who grew up as baseball’s professional format cemented and were part of a generation in awe of Babe Ruth -always looking for that monolithic star communities gather around.
This film takes place in their world. It might be the 90s, but their formative years were in the 60s. This look makes Billy (Brad) feel stuck in that time. And now the Goliaths of economic disparity and a calcifying industry formula have left him little hope for an equal fair shake on the field. He struggles amongst the old guard for a new idea to stay alive, and new direction to make his mark.