Greatest Game Ever

Terrific Movie about golf in early years! Read more

Moving, compelling, real life, history making story. Dare to watch this movie and let your lost dream come back to life with the possibility to break out of elitism and open doors for society to walk through. Read more

Among the many strengths of this film is the casting. One could not imagine a better Ouimet or Vardon, and the supporting cast are equally on point - none of the mismatches between actor and character that hint at a basic insincerity and are such a frequent pork rider on a bad script (not incidentally, Mark Frost's script is heads above those of most Disney sports films). But what I find most impressive is how the filmmakers use all their resources to tell the story: the inventive cinematography and sound effects - slowing down the shutter speed on the golf swings; the muting as Francis focuses - all this is used to convey the quality of the experience and the characters' psychologies and struggles on the course without becoming gaudy or excessive. The shot-reverse shot between a zoom on a ladybug that decides to land on the ball and goliath golfer Ted Ray as he takes aim is brilliant. This isn't mere show: you're made to feel Ted's grandness and moreover the grandness of his soul. I could go on. I have watched this film since it came out when I was a child, and I still enjoy it. Perhaps the class conflict seems more heavy-handed to me as a plot point than it did then (and the English "sun never sets" chest-beating is obviously exaggerated) - but that doesn't make these themes less important. Related aspects have become even more topical: in the twenty or so years since it came out there has been a greater emphasis on mental health, and I think this film has a good deal to say about managing and dealing with one's past. The creative way it gets you into the character's minds is much more direct and impactful than any psychology lecture. That, to me, is what makes it unique and valuable; and much more than just an achievement-against-odds film. I would recommend it for anyone, at any time of life. (This review was supposed to end there, but Amazon made me give it a title, so now I have to justify why it's a contender for one of the greatest sports films. Another favorite is The Natural, if that's any indication - and at the other end of the spectrum, I found Boys in the Boat a bit bland. Greatest Game, like The Natural, has meat to it: social relevance, smart without being ostentatious, and a deep-felt sense of the real motive anybody plays a sport: to be, as Harry Vardon says, "the bloody best" - and to appreciate the person who can best you). Read more

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This 121-minute Disney film (2006) tells the true story of amateur U.S. golfer Francis Ouimet's upset victory in the 1913 U.S. Open over British champion Harry Vardon. Like most Disney sports films, it errs on the side of goofy sentiment, rolling out the usual cliches of class warfare (poverty triumphing over uncaring tycoons) and daddy issues (the uncaring and harsh dad initially opposed to his son's athletic dreams) in addition to over-reliance on a cute child actor. Much like "The Rookie" and "Glory Road," it is a decent flick that comes across a tad bland and generic, being more pleasant in tone than memorable, but it also boasts some bright spots. On the positive side, director Bill Paxton has given his film an unusually strong cast and production values, as the period authenticity and performances are especially sharp. Young Shia Labeouf acquits himself serviceably as the determined young man, but Stephen Dillane steals the show from him as Harry Vardon, the reigning golf champion with similar working-class roots who turns out to be a class act himself. Unlike Ron Howard's film "Cinderella Man," where Russell Crowe's Jewish boxing opponent was portrayed as a deplorable thug much to the consternation of his descendants, this film scores points for giving us the real-life Vardon rather than a "bad guy" caricature. Paxton films the golf sequences with a welcome visual flare, using bright colors and some neat digital effects (particularly the sequences where Vardon "zones out" distractions and demons before taking a shot) to present the game of golf in a fresh way. On the negative side, Disneyfied cliches still abound here. Elias Koteas does a nice job in his underwritten role as Labeouf's working-class French Canadian father, but their relationship is under-explored as the "daddy issues" cliche is worked out in the most unimaginative way possible, almost seeming lifted from "The Rookie." The father-mother dynamics (Ouimet's mother was Irish) are likewise presented in a predictable fashion, without any sense that we are watching a real family interact. Finally, the British nobility who support Vardon are portrayed as moustache-twirling villains who are dead set on using golf to assert their superiority over the lower classes, over-playing the film's underlying stereotypes of the noble poor and uncaring rich. Finally, the absolute worst aspect of the movie is Ouimet's 10-year old caddy, a real-life touch that is initially amusing before the screenplay sets him up as the all-wise sage who continually gives Ouimet the right advice about how to play -- even in the film's climactic scene on the last hole. After awhile, this kid's frequent 21st century-style wisecracks become a frequent distraction and reminder that we are watching a calculated product of Disney's manufactured inspiration factory. A little bit less from the caddy would have gone a long way here, keeping the audience from being pulled out of the movie's otherwise meticulous world. The religious aspect (both Vardon and Ouimet were Catholics) is also underplayed, being dropped after an early reference to Vardon's membership in the "Church of Rome" being an obstacle to his club membership in Britain. The DVD is a nice edition that features numerous commentaries and making-of videos, including a neat B&W documentary featuring the real Ouimet talking about his victory in later life. It's not a great film, but it's decent. If you're a golf lover, you might particularly enjoy it, as it's certainly the closest thing to an exciting golf movie you'll find. Read more

I have read this book and enjoyed it so much. I ordered this movie as a gift to my grandson who also loves golf and had read this book. We both found that much was left out of the movie but then no movie can cover everything in a good book. The movie is about the Greatest Game Ever Played in golf. It was the U. S. Open and two very popular players from England were in Bookline, Mass to play this event. There happened to be a local young man Francis Auimet who lived next to this golf course and became fascinated with the game. He would find balls that would land in their field and he made clubs out of hickory stick and would play his own game. He found he could become a caddie at Brookline so on certain times was able to play the course. He was discovered to have a great talent and was sponsored to play in the amateur events. During this U. S. Open he earned his way into playing this event During the difficult days of the event he was tied with these two players from England Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. Francis ended up winning on the 18 hole playoff. An amazing story and good movie. Letta Meinen Read more