There’s a thing about sports movies that you either love or hate, and it’s usually the sport. Invariably the game is there as a backdrop on which to hang an allegory about perseverance, achievement, or in the case of Trouble With The Curve, resilience.

What’s more, there’s a built in audience from the fan base.

But the fan’s reluctant girl or boyfriend needs something else, thus Clint Eastwood in curmudgeon mode is joined by Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake to cover the bases. Clint’s a talent spotter one game from retirement, Amy’s the put upon daughter who became a lawyer but really wanted to be in the game like her old Dad. Timberlake is set dressing.

If baseball is your thing, Trouble With The Curve ticks enough boxes with Adams excelling in a thankless but all too familiar role. Timberlake looks pretty. Otherwise it’s a by-the-numbers yarn in which growling Clint takes an easy walk.

// COLIN FRASER
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