Esteemed Producer Turns Director for “Trouble with the Curve”

“‘Trouble with the Curve’ is a story about how we deal with what life throws at us,” describes Robert Lorenz (“Million Dollar Baby,” “Mystic River”), Clint Eastwood’s long-time producer who is now making his feature film directorial debut with the sports drama.

“It has characters in whom we can all see a bit of ourselves, reaching those moments in life when we are faced with re-evaluating priorities: the importance we put on our careers, our friendships and our family,” Lorenz adds.

At the center of the story are a father and daughter whose lives have taken them in opposite directions.  Even when they’re together, they are worlds apart.  But now, circumstances are forcing them to face their differences on common ground.

“In any family, even when things get tough, there are always ties that connect you,” says the film’s star and producer Clint Eastwood.  “You just have to find a starting point to begin to close the gap.”

The former assistant director, who segued into producing Eastwood’s movies, says he always intended to direct.  “It was just a matter of finding the right project at the right time,” Lorenz states.  “I felt the story had broad appeal, a lot of humor, with really great characters and interesting relationships, and I could easily visualize what I would do with it as I read it.  The fact that it had a great role for Clint and he was interested in playing it was way more than I could have hoped for.”

“Rob and I have worked together for almost 20 years now,” Eastwood says.  “We’ve talked about him directing over the years, so when he showed me this script, I thought it was a perfect opportunity.  I had no doubt he’d do a terrific job, and he absolutely did.”

Eastwood plays Gus Lobel, a man nearing the end of a long career who is too proud, or too stubborn, to reveal the secret that his eyes are no longer as sharp as his instincts.  And while those closest to him aren’t exactly sure what’s wrong, they know that something is—something that, for his daughter, Mickey (Amy Adams), is worth dropping everything for.  Even if she’s going to have to fight him every step of the way.

Lorenz adds, “In any other relationship, Mickey showing up to help, even if it’s unexpected, would be a good thing.  But Gus just can’t see it that way.”

Amy Adams says that there’s universality to Mickey’s feelings about her dad. “Daughters always want the approval of their fathers.  So, naturally, Mickey wants Gus’s attention; she wants him to be proud of her, but he, like many dads, has a hard time conveying that.  Over time, she’s built up a wall and things between them have become contentious, to say the least.”

“These characters all come together at a time of significant change for each of them,” Lorenz says.  “They are all on a journey and have to discover something about themselves in order to move beyond the place they are in their lives and onto the next thing, whatever that may be.”

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 28, “Trouble with the Curve” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.