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The Greatest Game Ever Played By Harry Forbes Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- Here's that rarity: an intelligent adult film that youngsters should like as well. At least those kids not put off by a leisurely pace, muted color palette, and classy but reserved performances. Everyone else should find "The Greatest Game Ever Played" (Disney) a moving and elevating experience. This is the true story of a young working-class golfer, Francis Ouimet (Shia LeBeouf), who played against British champion Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane) in the 1913 U.S. Open in Brookline, Mass. Both men shared similar backgrounds, to an extent that they may have been unaware of. Vardon was haunted by childhood memories of stern men in stovepipe hats building golf links near his Isle of Jersey home, and being sternly told that the game was not for the likes of him. So, too, young Ouimet was the son of an immigrant father (Elias Koteas) who only barely tolerated his son's interest in the game, and believed failure was assured because the game was out of their class. His Irish mother Mary (Marnie McPhail) was quietly supportive. Ouimet is shown to be smitten with the sport at a very young age. Against the father's wishes, Mary secretly takes him to see Vardon give a golf demonstration at a local theater, and Ouimet volunteers to join his idol on stage. The years go by and Ouimet, working as a caddie, has a chance to participate in the National Amateurs Championship. His father reluctantly agrees on the condition that if he loses he'll give up golf and go into a trade. Despite a good showing, Ouimet loses the match. But when he is later offered an opportunity to compete in the U.S. Open, his resolve to obey his father wavers, and he decides he must follow his heart. Upper-crust Smith College girl Sara Wallis (Peyton List), whom he met at a party, cheers him on from the sidelines. When his usual caddie bails, 10-year-old pint-sized Eddie (Josh Flitter) gets the job and, surprisingly, becomes a great asset. Vardon is part of the British contingent -- along with Ted Hastings (Justin Ashforth) and Wilfred Reid (George Asprey) -- and he's playing under the sponsorship of a Fleet Street journalist (Peter Firth), while defending champion John McDermott (Michael Weaver) arrogantly espouses his jingoistic determination to keep the cup in American hands. Both the British and American golf fraternities come across as class-conscious snobs. Early on, we see Vardon being wooed for admission to a posh private club, and the Yankee contingent, led by Stedman Comstock (Len Cariou), is insufferably snooty about Ouimet's aspirations. Though there's little one-on-one contact, Vardon senses a kindred spirit in the idealistic and decent Ouimet. Director Bill Paxton's film is filled with excellent period detail, beginning with the delightfully evocative opening credits, the production design, period music (Metropolitan Opera star Dawn Upshaw appears briefly), and the deportment of the characters which seems stylistically sound. Mark Frost has skillfully adapted his best-selling book of the same name. The themes of class conflict, achievement against improbable odds, loyalty and good sportsmanship are vividly drawn. LaBeouf is appealingly sincere and honorable, and Dillane has the right air of strength and integrity, though List sounds way too contemporary despite the right period look. In a similar vein, the otherwise terrific Flitter has a cocky "You got a problem?" aside that sounds more 2005 than 1913. But those bogeys are few. Robert Redford's underrated golf movie, "The Legend of Bagger Vance," did unaccountably poorly at the box office. Something tells me this will do better. The golf sequences are grippingly suspenseful, and the ending is predictably inspiring, making this one of the best sports movies since "Chariots of Fire." The film contains minimal, mild language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. - - - Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. END Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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