TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE (Rated PG-13)

Whether in the position of actor or director, Clint Eastwood, an octogenarian, remains one of the very best in the business of making films.

Longevity has served this iconic legend extremely well. In recent years, with some notable exceptions, Eastwood has been working behind the camera.

In his last film, “Gran Torino,” Eastwood’s starring role was directed by none other than himself. But for “Trouble With the Curve,” the directing reins were turned over to longtime associate Robert Lorenz.

Playing the role of a crusty, aging baseball scout, Eastwood probably required little direction. He could walk through the part half-asleep and ad lib most of the dialogue on the fly.

Indeed, Eastwood is in fine form as baseball veteran Gus Lobel, a scout who uses his old-school instincts and intuition to assess the potential of young players laboring for obscure minor league teams.

Gus’ contract with the Atlanta Braves is due to expire, and though his boss and friend Pete Klein (John Goodman) wants him to stay on, an obnoxious front office hotshot (Matthew Lillard) is looking for any excuse to dump the old-timer.

There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “Old age and treachery beat youth and skill every time.” I think this fits the storyline fairly well, except that Gus is more adept at cunning and guile than outright deceit.

But first, Gus has some major hurdles to clear. His eyesight is beginning to fail, causing him no end of distress and anxiety. Still, he needs to hit the road to assess a minor leaguer hailed as the next big thing.

Meanwhile, Pete asks the old man’s daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) to help out on what could be Gus’ last road trip. Mickey grew up around baseball but has been estranged from her dad for years.

What’s more, Mickey is bucking for partnership at her law firm and is embroiled in a big case that just might be the biggest break of her career. With the legal brass getting anxious, this is no time for a frivolous journey.

Yet, Mickey’s initial resistance crumbles and she joins her old man on a road trip so unglamorous that they stay in budget motels and frequent honky-tonk bars. But at least the bickering pair starts the slow process of reconciliation.

As you can well imagine, baseball is merely the backdrop to a story of misunderstanding and life’s regrets, along with the hurt feelings and foreseeable remorse.

In the backwater regions of the South, Gus and Mickey focus their scouting attention upon a local phenomenon named Bo Gentry (Joe Massingill), a beefy home-run hitter who recalls the towering prowess of Babe Ruth.

But, the hitting machine Bo is not a swell guy. He demeans the local peanut vendor and brags endlessly about how his career trajectory will be a magnet for willing female groupies.

On a more pleasant note, Gus and Mickey come across the handsome, friendly Johnny (Justin Timberlake), a former hot pitcher recruited by Gus who had to retire from the game after blowing out his arm. Now he’s a scout for the Boston Red Sox.

The story also needs a romantic subplot, so Mickey and Johnny start to fall for each other, even if the presence of the doting Gus may somehow put a damper on the looming passion.

While coping with physical limitations, Gus still has the knack for finding and assessing talent. He stakes his reputation on making judgments based on personal scrutiny, rather than using computer models.

“Trouble With the Curve” is an appropriate title in many ways. For one, it accurately measures the unseen problems with prospect Bo Gentry, though the cranky old scout taps into his lingering doubts with ease.

For another, Mickey and Gus can find redemption only if they get past the curveballs tossed in their direction. We develop a rooting interest in seeing things neatly patched up between them.

Hardly a novel observation, “Trouble With the Curve” is the antithesis of “Moneyball,” which celebrated the use of new technology. That “Moneyball” remains an excellent film takes nothing away from this salute to old-school virtues.

Though Eastwood did not direct “Trouble With the Curve,” he owns this picture. Here’s hoping that he can still play the role of old crank in a few more movies.

To be sure, the storyline in this film is rather expected and conventional, but “Trouble With the Curve” scores at least a solid triple right into the deepest corner of the outfield.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

If you can’t keep up with TV shows during their original run, at least we have DVD releases that bring everyone up to date.

“The Mentalist,” still running on CBS, is the kind of show that requires your attention, particularly to details.

Just as the fifth season is getting under way, “The Mentalist: The Complete Fourth Season” follows the exploits of a California Bureau of Investigation consultant.

Simon Baker’s Patrick Jane is also a former faux-psychic obsessed with finding Red John, the serial killer who murdered his family.

In the fourth season, Patrick learns the true price of revenge and deals with the fallout from his actions of the previous season.

Yet, the unconventional Patrick continues to use his razor-sharp skills of observation and psychological manipulation to bypass the system and solve the toughest crimes in his own inimitable way.

“The Mentalist: The Complete Fourth Season” includes a special feature about how the show seeks to create the “appearance of reality” when it comes to police procedures.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.