“Oh wad some power the giftie gie us to see oursel’s as others see us!”

Fascinating piece by Andy Martino in the NY Daily News about how the subjects are portrayed in the book and movie. Kind of like listening to yourself on a tape recorder and asking, “Do I really sound like that?”

There have been several articles noting the differences between  the real Paul DePodesta and the interpretation via Jonah Hill (DePodesta’s name in the film has been changed, too).

Fortunately, so is another topic related to the book and film, this one further under the surface but far more interesting: the irresolvable tension between “nonfiction” and “reality,” and the weirdness of being portrayed in “non-fiction,” when there is really no such thing. There is only perception, and perception depends on who is looking.

…

…another person’s perception of you is bound to be different from your own. There is no such thing as an objective truth, and pure nonfiction is not possible. Writers filter all “facts” through their own set of biases and preconceptions.

“I don’t think there was anything in that book that was untruthful,” says DePodesta, who now oversees the Mets’ farm system under Alderson. “It’s just that he made sure to highlight certain aspects of people’s personalities for the sake of the story.”

An attempt to reach Lewis through his publicist was unsuccessful, but really, he does not need to defend himself. Like all writers, he spotted a theme, and it seemed only partially correct to some of his subjects. Anyone who has written nonfiction can relate.

Hill, left, and the real DePodesta

Pitt, left, and the real Beane

I’m going to insist Johnny Depp plays me when the movie version of my book comes out.

Tagged as: Billy Beane, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Moneyball, Paul DePodesta