The Greatest Game Ever Played Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Near the turn of the twentieth century, young Harry Vardon becomes a champion golfer but learns that his amazing skill is no match for the class boundaries that exclude him from "gentlemanly" English society. A dozen years later, a young American, Francis Ouimet, fights against the same prejudice, as well as his own father's disdain, for a chance to participate in the U.S. Open against his idol — Harry Vardon. The struggles of both men for acceptance provides the background for an amazing contest of skills.
| James Paxton | Young Harry Vardon |
| Gregory Terlecki | Black Top Hatted Man |
| Jonathan Higgins | Embry Wallis |
| Matthew Knight | Young Francis Ouimet |
| Luke Askew | Alec Campbell |
| Amanda Tilson | Young Sarah Wallis |
| Elias Koteas | Arthur Ouimet |
| Jamie Merling | Young Louise Ouimet |
| Eugenio Esposito | Young Raymond Ouimet |
| Marnie McPhail | Mary Ouimet |
| Stephen Dillane | Harry Vardon |
| Robin Wilcock | Bernard Darwin |
| Bill Paxton |
7.30 out of 10 (6392 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Impressed
posted on 13 Aug 2009I was extraordinarily impressed by this film. It's one of the best sports films I've every seen. The visuals in this film are outstanding. I love the sequences in which the camera tracks the ball as it flies through the air or into the cup. The film moves well, offering both excitement and drama. The cinematography was fantastic. The acting performances are great. I was surprised by young Shia LaBeouf.He does well in this role. Stephen Dillane is also good as the brooding Harry Vardon. Peter Firth, Justin Ashforth, and Elias Koteas offer able support. The film is gripping and entertaining and for the first time in my life actually made me want to watch a golf tournament.
best "little known movie" I've ever seen
posted on 11 Aug 2009I actually saw this movie on an international flight and it was one of the best movies I have ever enjoyed. I'm not a golf fan, but the story is wonderful whether you like golf or not. I purchased it for my son-in-law who is a "golf fan" and I feel it would make a great gift for a wide range of people.
"Read it, roll it and hole it "
posted on 09 Aug 2009I am the author of Striking It Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals, Patients and Pros
"Read it, roll it and hole it."
So says little Eddie Lowery in this extremely well-made adaptation of the Mark Frost book of the same name. There were only a few questionable choices in my opinion and one glaring omission. Why was the lady bug shot in there? What does that mean?
The glaring omission was choosing to not have Walter Hagen in the story. Hagen was in 4th place in the tournament and is a giant of golf history. They could have put in his famous locker room speech.
Other than that and a slight difference in opinion with the director in the way he handled the romance with the rich girl (far too much sap in my opinion, although it did provide another great line by eddie when he handed the broach to Francis: Francis: "She gave this to me?" Eddie: "Just put it on. Don't get all sloppy about it."), this was a great movie. Every performance was excellent as was the script.
I have recently written a non fiction golf book so I can identify with the creators of this story in struggling with what to put in and what to leave out. Its not easy.
This is the best golf movie of its kind that I have seen. Every member of your family will enjoy it.
An Underappreciated Moment in Sports
posted on 05 Aug 2009Great story and a well done movie. One of the finest moments in sports history. Imagine a match where Tiger Woods & Phil Mickelson and an unknown amateur ended up in a sudden death playoff and the amateur won (with a 10 year old for a caddy, BTW).
Great family entertainment. You don't have to be a golfer to enjoy it. Buy the book also, you will enjoy it 10-fold if you liked the movie...
Not a golf fan but LOVED IT!!!
posted on 05 Aug 2009Even though I'm not a golf fan, this is one of the finest films I've seen. Besides all the creative technicalities, the perfect casting and wonderfully gifted acting didn't need the film's special effects to carry them through this winner. My hats off to all who were a part of this movie. It proves, once again, that hype isn't needed when true talent is involved.
One of the greatest of movies - inspiring
posted on 03 Aug 2009I was blown away by this movie. A great and true story, perfectly cast and perfectly filmed, it's hard to name many movies as well done as this. I would recommend that every family watch this. It is both inspiring and heart warming. I really can't say enough about it.
One of the better American films to be released in 2005
posted on 30 Jul 2009I hate sports movies, but I found this one exceptionally well done. Kudos to Bill Paxton on his sophomore effort and his second good film, after the flawed but unforgettable Frailty. The Greatest Game Ever Played doesn't offer any surprises plotwise, but the level of acting and the depth that Paxton finds in the material certainly is surprising. Shia LaBeouf plays a working-class young man who is great at golf, and ends up playing against, and doing well against pros in the US Open. The film uses the class issues that come with the game of golf to add a lot of nuance. Paxton's direction and the editing during the Open (which lasts most of the movie) are excellent, and it is certainly one of the most gripping sports movies I've ever seen. LaBeouf is exceptional, as are many of the supporting performances. The performance that's getting all the press for the film is from Josh Flitter, a 10 year-old who plays LaBeouf's caddy. Yeah, he's cute and funny, and the energy he adds is probably needed for a lot of the audience. But, to me, he seemed pretty obviously there just to be cute, and just to keep a segment of the audience from getting bored. If not for the utterly cliché and pointless my-father-doesn't-approve-of-me subplot, this film would be one of the best of the year. As it is, if it had had a little more press, it would have been a sure-shot for the Seabiscuit slot in the Best Picture category.
You need to see this movie
posted on 20 Jul 2009I thought this movie was excellent. I loved it and would see it again. I am not a golf fan but I found this movie inspiring to young people and I think as a mother it made my heart patter watching the mother of Grancis Ouimet push her son to greatness. You need to see this movie.These kinds of movies make me want to go and find out more information about the real people that are talked about. It peaked my interest about what happened after this part of their life was over.Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it! Go see it!
Surprisingly Great Film
posted on 20 Jul 2009I was blown away by this film. I'm one of those people who just takes a risk with movies that don't especially appeal to me sometimes, and I've got to say this one paid off. I mean, Wow! Even my young boys enjoyed the film (5 and 6 at the time), though I'm quite certain this was not geared to their age groups.This movie was clean, too, which is a great plus. It is so great to sit down to a movie you thoroughly enjoy without profanity, violence (except one very brief scene) or anything else one is likely to find morally objectionable.This movie brought you along on a journey you are so ready to believe because of the great acting. You feel the vast range of emotions portrayed along with the characters.I never thought a golf movie would have me at the edge of my seat, but I couldn't help being intensely interested in how this one would turn out. I have nothing to compare it to since I have neither watched golf in reality or on film before, but everyone did a great job in keeping the pace and emotions captivating here. The score also did wonders; excellent, excellent score.Even if you don't think this would be your kind of film, watch it. You may be pleasantly surprised. I certainly was.
An inspiring story told through a great movie
posted on 16 Jul 2009Let me first say that when my friend picked this up from the store, I thought it was just another one of those Disney kid-flicks - childishly boring for a young man like myself. As little as I'd expect of it, the movie had managed to do anything but that. The story in the movie was well told, with touching moments that inspire. The soundtrack created the right atmosphere and swayed my emotions gently through the story. Every successful man had to be the underdog in the beginning, but it is their dream, passion and persistence - to never give up no matter what - that has made them into what they are. This is a movie I'd recommend to anyone regardless of their age or preference.
Beautiful Film
posted on 30 Jun 2009This is a beautiful film - well made, well acted, and imaginative. Young Ouimet's character testifies to the integrity of the game viewed against the arrogance of the upper class and the hopelessness of his father. The golf swings are realistic and the drama superb.
quality movie
posted on 06 Jun 2009I think this movie is a quality film and definitely worth watching.The story was engaging, the cinematography and effects were a lot of fun and turned even 'normal' scenes into interesting eye candy.I didn't read the book and have yet to research the characters, but I look forward to checking into the story and seeing how accurately the film portrayed it. i've only played golf once, but this movie inspires me to play again.I sat up near the front row, because the theater was full, but was glad I did because the film was very beautiful in a lot of ways. It obviously had its emotional parts to it, but it was a true story, and the director did a great job of telling that story.
greatest game-one of the greatest movies made
posted on 29 May 2009if you watch this at home on DVD or Bluray! be sure you have great sound system. the musical score through this is what moves you through the movie. I have watched the movie several times and thought it was great but after just up-grading my home theater sound system, what a difference. I will be watching this movie many, many more times.if you do not have a great sound system. find a friend who does and watch it there.also watch the extra stories and behind the scenes extras that come with it (the BR or DVD.) the interview of Quimet in the 1960's talks about his scholarship fund...but for those times just boys got it. today I hope some of it goes to girls.......
Golf - A Metaphor for Life
posted on 15 Aug 2009Suggestion for potential viewers of this movie:
This is a "feel good" movie and not intended to be a classic, so pleae enjoy it for what it is [warts and all].
This movie is the best it can be and admittedly it is not perfect. As with other reviews, the movie cannot possibly achieve the unrealistic goal of being perfect due to the many conflicting goals. However, it is an enjoyable movie and meant for sheer entertainment (never mind historical accuracy).
I am an avid historical reader of golf's history, yet I can forgive the director's conundrum of trying to portray the many historical details required in the conventional two hour film. This is an impossible task and therefore requires some trade-offs. Furthermore, Ouimet's romance was simply contrived to have some audience appeal... there were many movie-making techniques used in the film intended to create mainstream appeal in order to gain box office sales.
As far as the movie's historical content, it did not include many of the required details regarding equipment; background for the main characters; geo-politcal trends, status and rationale simply because it was not possible. This is forgiveable, but only for either the tolerant or the uninformed (of golf and its history). I, for one, can forgive this simply because I already knew the history of Ouimet, Vardon, et al.
My suggestion for those who are not beneficiaries of the pleasure of knowing the historical details is to read the biographies of each of the main characters, but to do that requires more than a casual interest in the game.
Lebouf's performance is very impressive, displaying a maturity beyond his years. His charisma drew me in while his ability to play off Josh Flitter [Eddie the Caddie] who's exceptional performance (for a 12 year old) was uncanny. His intuitive comedic timing was impeccable: e.g. "Read it, Role it, Hole it"
Paxton's visual techniques, portraying the flight of the ball were remniscant of George Lucas' techniques in Star Wars, placing us in the cockpit of a starfighter. Very entertaining.
I'd also like to point out one outstanding feature in the film for which I have personal experience: "the zone". For novices, this is the ability to focus completely on one single objective (e.g. holing a putt) at the exclusion of all external distractions (e.g. a boisterous gallery or a wiley competitor). Movie viewers will experience Paxton's visual metaphor that takes us into Vardon's mind as he cancels out all other external distractions and "sees the hole" in a serene setting with blue skies and no galleries, etc. I simply love this metaphor for its ability to portray (albeit inadequately) what it is like to be "in the zone"... a very Tiger-like (Woods) characteristic.
While on the subject of metaphors, Paxton's other great metaphor was Vardon's demons (the Black Top Hat men in the opening scene). In my mind, this is a great depiction of self-doubt that runs through a player's mind when in the position of having to make a putt (or a great drive, etc.). That one moment when you doubt yourself, whether you're good enough to make that shot. The Black Top Hat Men (to me) represent the doubt for Vardon... whether he's ever been good enough. These demons are what drive many a great athlete. Bobby Jones (another golf great) for example would get sick throughout his matches and lose as much as 20 lbs. of body weight due to his internal drive to achieve perfection. In the end, I liked Paxton's metaphor a lot.
Lastly, the relationship between Francis Ouimet and his father, played by Elias Koteas was exceptionally accurate for the historical time and cultural beliefs of underclass immigrants. Kudos to Koteas portraying a villainous father who is redemmed in the end... like many fathers. Although a little hokey, it worked from an entertainment perspective.