Rating: PG (for some brief mild language)
Length: 118 minutes
Company: Disney
Starring: Shia Lebeouf, Stephen Dillane, and Josh Flitter
Review rating: ***1/2 (out of five)
Golf? Certainly the makers of The Rookie could have picked a more interesting sport for their next film. Even though many despise golf merely because it is a slow sport, The Greatest Game Ever Played offers something not just for avid golf players, but for the whole family. So far Disney’s sports films have been a dependable commodity. However, the only golf movies that have done well at the box office are R-rated comedies like Tin Cup and Caddyshack. Just last year Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius_ flopped, grossing a paltry $2 million while costing $20 million.
In The Greatest Game Ever Played, teenage actor, Shia Lebeouf (Holes, Constantine, Robots), plays an aspiring golfer named Francis Ouimet. Francis desperately wants to play golf, and works as a caddy. He meets his idol, golf pro Harry Vardon, at a very young age. However, his father, who hasn’t enjoyed great success in life, wants Francis to quit chasing his dreams, and take a store job with a steady income. By the time the story reaches its climax, Francis is twenty and remains determined to pursue golf—even to the point of giving up his home.
While Greatest appears to be “just” another feel-good sports flick, Shia Lebeouf brings an uncommon, but likeable sense of warmth and innocence to the movie. On the other hand, Stephen Dillane, who plays Harry Vardon, provides a more serious adult perspective. Even though most of the actors are relatively unknown, or have only played small roles in other films, the onscreen chemistry works remarkably well. Although sometimes it is difficult for teenage actors to generate an emotional connection with the audience, Lebeouf does so with ease. However, the real star doesn’t show up until halfway through the film. Eddie Lowery, played by Josh Flitter, adds some humor to the plot when he walks on screen, brimming with witty remarks and helpful advice.
However, The Greatest Game Ever Played not only has a strong cast, but beautiful cinematography. Throughout the film, aerial shots of the golf course and close ups of conversations are masterfully handled. Shots taken during the golf tournaments have been cleverly manipulated so the audience isn’t forced to watch one slow tee-off after another. Instead, it appears that the special effects artists cleverly manipulated a digital version of the ball at a faster pace. Fortunately, this does away with a lot of tediousness, allowing the story to move a quicker clip.
The Greatest Game Ever Played leaves the audience feeling good, like any other good sports film does. Nonetheless, that is exactly what makes Greatest such a success—it’s ordinary without being too cliched. As Disney continues to search for footing at the box office, can The Greatest Game Ever Played eschew the dismal fate of previous golf films and replicate the success of past Disney sports outings? Find out for yourself when this movie hits theatres September 30th, 2005.
Links:
Cold Classic: Lawrence of Arabia
Originally released in 1956, Lawrence of Arabia has remained a film standard which has influenced many filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg. Receiving an impressive 7 Academy Awards, this film has failed to maintain stature amongst younger viewing audiences. Even so, this lost classic remains a winner. Lawrence of Arabia recounts the true story of a British Army officer on a mission to organize the Arab factions to fight against Turkey in World War I. The film’s hero, T.E. Lawrence, who is played by Peter O’Toole, remains one of cinema’s most enigmatic characters ever.
The breathtaking cinematography of Lawrence further enhances the remarkable special effects employed, which hold up surprisingly well. This serves to make the already stunning panoramic shots even more impressive. While today’s viewers may not appreciate the lengthy overture, entr’acte, and exit music, the score aids the sometimes tedious desert scenes. Even today, Lawrence of Arabia remains an accessible, but lost classic waiting to be resurrected by a new generation of viewers.
0 Responses to “The Greatest Game Ever Played”