# Will Eastwood's RNC performance influence his new movie's Box Office **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2012, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364 "2012-09-21T07:49:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/1 "2012-09-21T07:49:59Z")
Do you think his RNC debacle will drive people away from _Trouble with the Curve_? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/2 "2012-09-21T08:46:21Z")
I’m certainly planning to avoid it. But I’m sure my equivalent on the righty-nutbar spectrum will see it twice for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/3 "2012-09-21T13:28:33Z")
I doubt it. Most people seemed to say “Man, that was really bizarre… but I still love Clint Eastwood!” It was good for a next day laugh but I don’t think it made many people dislike the guy or no longer enjoy his films. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/4 "2012-09-21T13:49:00Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Do you think his RNC debacle will drive people away from _Trouble with the Curve_? Those aren’t empty chairs in the theatre. They’re all filled with Obamas. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/5 "2012-09-21T16:22:16Z")
I liked the film Grand Torino - but back then I thought Clint Eastwood was just acting the role of a crazy, bigoted curmudgeon who had to be dragged into the 21st century for redemption at the end. Little did I know it wasn’t acting. I won’t go see the film in the theater, but might watch it when it hits HBO or Showtime or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/6 "2012-09-21T18:00:20Z")
I don’t know if I’ll see it, but as with pretty much all other actors whether I do or don’t won’t have anything do to do with their off-screen activities. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/7 "2013-06-03T17:58:19Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I won’t go see the film in the theater, but might watch it when it hits HBO or Showtime or whatever. _Trouble With the Curve_ just started airing on HBO. I did enjoy the movie, however my primary thought regarding Clint Eastwood was “Yes, Clint, you’re old. WE GET IT.” I mean, the opening scene in the film is Clint standing at the toilet, having difficulty urinating. He’s obviously an intelligent man, you’d think he’d have figured out by now that he doesn’t actually need to _tell us_ that he’s old, and find a new card to play. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/8 "2013-06-03T18:19:53Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > I don’t know if I’ll see it, but as with pretty much all other actors whether I do or don’t won’t have anything do to do with their off-screen activities. His politics (though abhorring) won’t stop me from seeing him. His deteriorating acting skill and poor movie choices might. ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/9 "2013-06-06T06:53:52Z")
His politics, being abhorrent, did cause me to stay away, so yes it did affect the box office. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/10 "2013-06-06T07:14:34Z")
My guess is that the film’s uninteresting subject matter and stupid-ass name had more to do with it flopping than its creator’s politics. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/11 "2013-06-06T13:07:55Z")
His movie-making skills peaked some time ago. One of the first signs of trouble was _Gran Torino_, which was an awful film: offensive, predictable, poorly written and executed. Then came _Hereafter_ and _J. Edgar_, both panned by critics and fans alike. Even _Invictus_, a film about Nelson Mandela, was lackluster. _Trouble with the Curve_ is a boring, formulaic, and predictable film as well. The plot is just one long cliche. I don’t think Eastwood has got anything left in the tank, and it’s unlikely that I’ll be seeing any more of his films. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/12 "2013-06-06T13:20:19Z")
The fact that it’s about baseball, the second stupidest sport in the world (after US “football”), is what would keep me from having any interest in it. ETA: Clint’s idiotic politics make it any more attractive, either. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/13 "2013-06-06T13:54:05Z")
I saw this film in an empty theater (well, empty except for me, obviously) so I decided to take the time and type in my responses to the film while it played. I never posted them online, so I’m glad this thread was resurrected. So here they are, my thoughts about the movie as the movie progressed… SPOILERS! > [@](#): > > Looks like the “anti-Moneyball” – Clint works for the Braves (Maddux bubblehead!) > > Justin Timberlake is in this? Boo to the worthless love-interest plot that’s sure to develop. > > So is John Goodman… a lot of familiar faces, actually. > > A minor-leaguer selling autographs for $45? Bullshit! > > Typical Hollywood small-town clichés: Cheap hotel (complete with flickering sign), cheaper food, everybody gathers at the bar. > > This one has all the tropes – there’s even a scene where Amy Adams schools some good ol’ boys in pool, a hick comes on too strong and Timberlake happens to be there to defend AA’s honor. She, being a strong independent woman (of course) tells JT “I can take care of myself!” > > Clint’s a dick as a Dad… almost too much so. His eyes are going which is why daughter is with him instead of at her high-powered law firm (where, of course, she’s about to make partner, vying against Typical Sleazoid Lawyer for the position.) Of course, she’s lead on the Big Case, and how this case goes, so goes her chances at the job. Get it? SHE COULD LOSE THE JOB IF SHE TAKES TIME OUT TO HELP HER FATHER!!! (In case that wasn’t clear, and trust me, this movie makes it _very_ clear.) > > The flirting has begun! And the bonding moment! The Big Crisis can’t be too far behind for both of them (JT and AA.) She just got dumped by Lawyer-boyfriend-who-is-too-slick-for-her… and runs into JT at the bar. Now it’s a “meet cute” as they are testing each other in baseball trivia while drinking beers. Now she’s teaching him to dance “Southern style.” > > (If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is a VERY paint-by-numbers movie. I typed the last as Timberlake did the Big Male Emotional Reveal, thereby assuring a successful journey into AA’s pants.) > > Big Crisis #1: Pop and daughter had a fight, she’s headed back to the ATL (… oops, no she isn’t. They just fought.) > > Big Crisis #2: The Big Presentation (not case, apparently) has been given to Typical Sleazoid Lawyer. Can Justin rush in time to comfort Adams? (Marv Albert voice) – YES! > > Big Crisis #3: Timberlake (who is a rival scout) takes Clint’s advice… and Clint gets it wrong. JT is pissed! GRAND TRAMPLING EXIT! > > Clint and AA are doing the Reconciliation Scene. The big reveal – Clint killed a pedo who trapped AA in a barn somewhere when she was a kid. Whoa, didn’t see that coming! > > AA found a pitcher in a stupid Hollywood-type scenario. Now this kid is going to show up the player selected by Clint’s corporate rivals. Can’t type fast enough to describe implausibility of the last 10 minutes! > > Now she’s changing careers and becoming an agent! And Timberlake shows up! And Typical Sleazoid Lawyer bombs the Big Presentation! And she and dad are happy again! All problems are resolved! Yippee! > > Roll credits. All right, so this was a film that was so by-the-numbers that I coined the phrase “Movies by TVTropes” just for it. But the thing that gets me about it was the anti-Moneyball aspect and how idiotically it was resolved. For those of you who don’t know, _Moneyball_ was a book written by Michael Lewis which talked about the rise of statistical analysis in baseball and how this math-centric method of evaluating players ruffled the feathers of more traditional BB analysts who would talk about a guys potential, how he looked at the plate, etc. Clint is the traditionalist. His corporate rival (James Wood) is an analyst. JW wants Clint to scout out this player (JW really wants to draft him) who Clint says is worthless because he can “hear” something wrong with his swing, something that you can’t determine by statistical analysis. JW decides to draft this kid anyway (that lead to the fight with Timberlake, btw.) Amy Adams is in her hotel room one morning when she hears somebody throwing a baseball into a catchers mitt. She goes outside and eventually drafts the kid (or she convinces Clint to test him out or something like that.) So they go to the ballpark and, lo and behold, JW is there with his newly drafted big-hitting prospect. And, as one can expect, AA’s pitcher (found traditional style, remember) goes against JW’s hitter (found statistical style) and wipes the floor with his whiff-after-whiff ass. To which AA yells at JW – “Your guy can’t hit left-handed pitching! That’s what we were trying to tell you, dumbass!” Now here’s the thing… _statistical analysis would have been the method to use to show that the prospect could not hit left-handed pitching_. Not “the guy looks like a monster at the plate”, not “I hear a flutter in his swing” bullshit. Even before Moneyball, baseball was the most statistical of sports and you would have known merely by looking at his statistics that JW’s guy couldn’t hit left-handers and, therefore, was a poor prospect. So the movie resolved the Moneyball vs. Traditional Scouting debate in favor of Traditional Scouting… by means of an argument that could only be made by statistical analysis! WTF? But… Amy Adams looks _good_, so there’s that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/14 "2013-06-06T14:03:29Z")
Double whammy to people who let politics prevent them from seeing a movie since James Wood is also a conservative. I don’t plan to see it but that’s because I have no interest in it; if it got “You can’t miss this!” reviews I probably would. I disagree with his politics and think that having a man who has impregnated six women- of whom he was only married to two and one had abortions- as keynote speaker for the party of Traditional Values was one of the bitter-funniest moments in politics since George Bush came onstage to _The Best of Times_ from “La Cage Aux Folles” at the '92 convention, but it’s not going to keep me away from a movie. (Mel Gibson is probably the only actor that I hate enough to boycott his movies, and that’s more for his personal signature blend of violence and religious mania and homophobia and general psychosis and judgmentalism, and even with him if the movie was lauded enough I’d check it out when it came to HBO.) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/15 "2013-06-06T14:04:24Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Do you think his RNC debacle will drive people away from _Trouble with the Curve_? Since it wasn’t a debacle, I doubt that people will stay away from his movies. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/16 "2013-06-06T14:13:32Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > To which AA yells at JW – “Your guy can’t hit left-handed pitching! That’s what we were trying to tell you, dumbass!” > > Now here’s the thing… _statistical analysis would have been the method to use to show that the prospect could not hit left-handed pitching_. Not “the guy looks like a monster at the plate”, not “I hear a flutter in his swing” bullshit. Even before Moneyball, baseball was the most statistical of sports and you would have known merely by looking at his statistics that JW’s guy couldn’t hit left-handers and, therefore, was a poor prospect. Actually, the kid couldn’t hit a curveball, not left-handed pitching. (Thus, the name of the movie, “Trouble With The Curve”.) That typically cannot be picked up on via statistical analysis, because tracking pitch-type isn’t all that common in high school. Either way, it was a horribly ham-handed movie, and calling it “the anti-Moneyball” is a really apt description. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/17 "2013-06-06T14:21:06Z")
Who is “James Wood”? I think you mean Matthew Lillard, or possibly Robert Patrick. James Woods was not in this movie. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/18 "2013-06-06T14:42:41Z")
Robert Patrick! That’s it. Sorry, I saw this thing in September and my memory had JW and RP switched. (They do look a bit alike, though.) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/19 "2013-06-06T14:46:26Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Actually, the kid couldn’t hit a curveball, not left-handed pitching. (Thus, the name of the movie, “Trouble With The Curve”.) That typically cannot be picked up on via statistical analysis, because tracking pitch-type isn’t all that common in high school. Either way, it was a horribly ham-handed movie, and calling it “the anti-Moneyball” is a really apt description. Appreciate the clarification. Like James Woods/Robert Patrick, the fact that the kid was a HS player was also something I forgot since September, which makes the demand for $45 for an autograph even more dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364/20 "2013-06-06T18:12:30Z")
I won’t see Roman Polanski’s movies, as he is a convicted child rapist, but I have no problem with Clint Eastwood or anyone else having a politically different opinion than mine. Among the few consistent conservative posters on this board, most of them I respect, even if I disagree with them about most everything. Hell, I disagree with a lot of the liberals on this board. Differing opinions, we can talk and maybe work things out. Having a different opinion than mine does not make you evil, it makes you wrong. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-eastwoods-rnc-performance-influence-his-new-movies-box-office/635364.md?page=2)