For non-golfers, this true story of an ordinary youth who challenges a seasoned champ in the biggest golf match of all time is a stirring piece of history reenacted for the general audience. Seasoned actor turned director Bill Paxton has taken a simple tale and fashioned a mini pearl of a movie that will fit nicely with the other sports films like Remember the Titans and The Rookie.
As a boy, future English champion golfer, Harry Vardon is introduced to the world of golf while dark, mysterious figures begin to build a golf course nearby. Years later in America, another boy, Francis Ouimet, is a caddie at a golf course and is encouraged by adults to pursue his dream of playing competitively. It turns out Francis has a gift for the sport and he practices religiously. Although he is from a poor working class family, he enters an amateur tournament where he must face off seasoned golfers who are from well-to-do backgrounds. After a series of setbacks and the objections of his laborer father, Francis is given a chance opportunity to restart his dream as an amateur entree in the prestigious U.S. Open where he sees his childhood idol, Vardon, again but now as a competitor and rival. Harry is in the States to claim the U.S. golfing crown as he has (Tiger Woods fashion) done for consecutive years in the British Open. As the grueling course thins the ranks of professionals and to the amazement of swelling throngs of spectators and media, Francis and Harry are on a collision course in the most unlikely playoff matchup in the annals of golf.
This is essentially the story of two golfers with contrasting backgrounds. What is good about this film is that even though this story is about golf, it is easily accessible to mainstream audiences because they become involved in Francis’ dreams. The conflict at home between father (Elias Koteas) and Francis is an important plot point that is comparable to the father-son dynamic of The Rookie. There are nice examples of class struggle between the have-nots and the upper crust. The storylines never get too complex and while the plot is easy to follow, the simplicity can be a detriment in other ways.
There are a couple of unexplained subplots and relationships that are never fully explored. We don’t really understand what motivates or affects Vardon from his childhood. Also there seems to be a parallel being drawn between him and Ouimet which is never clearly explained. Likewise, there is a hint of romance in Ouimet’s life, but we never know where that goes.
This unknown cast works because there are no preconceived notions of stars or recognizable faces. For all intents and purposes, we believe Stephen Dillane is Harry Vardon. The performances deserve notice especially Shia LaBeouf (Holes) as Francis Ouimet and Josh Flitter as the diminutive child caddie, Eddie, whose enthusiasm and quips are disarming. Character actor Luke Askew does register in a change of pace role as an unnamed golfing mentor for Francis.
Director Paxton has a very clean sense of narrative, and it certainly didn’t hurt to be under the tutelage of his favorite director, James Cameron. There is a great shot of the audience watching Ouimet driving the ball and turning their collective heads to follow the ball’s path except for Vardon who stays on the young protégé as he knows it is a good shot. Paxton does save the best for last in the climactic playoff. He displays a sure hand in the final scene as he culminates various plot threads in one emotional finale. We never lose sight of our protagonist’s plight and everything is in service of a storyline adapted by Mark Frost (Twin Peaks) from his novel. If this is an example of Paxton’s capability as a director, then I welcome his next project.
Credit the production team for authentic period sets and costumes. The cinematography and special effects are imaginative and perhaps too clever as we witness the many new ways to simulate a ball in flight or rolling on the fairway.
This is the sort of film you would see as a made for television film like Brian’s Song in the 1970’s or as an HBO feature. Now Disney is mining the sports sagas in a consistently entertaining fashion. I would not put NASCAR past them. If you are looking for an inspiring family film, this is a good choice.
*** of **** stars
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