THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED
US, 2005, 120 minutes, Colour.
Shia La Beouf, Stephen Dillane, Elias Koteas, Luke Askew, Peter Firth, Len Cariou, Stephen Marcus, Josh Flitter.
Directed by Bill Paxton.
The Greatest Game Ever Played sounds an over-dramatic title but it a feature about the US Open Golf Championship of 1913. Up till then, only one American had won and golf had been dominated by the British, especially by the celebrated Harry Vardon from the island of Jersey.
The film is not just about golf, and those who do not know the sport or understand will still find the film interesting and entertaining. The golf sequences, however, are filmed excellently.
The film was directed by actor Bill Paxton who also made the thriller Frailty.
Shia LeBeouf? had proven himself a juvenile actor on television with the children’s series, Even Stephens. He had made the transition to films well with Holes. However, after The Greatest Game Ever Played his career took off substantially with such teenage thrillers as Disturbia and Eagle Eye but also with such dramas as The Transformers, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Oliver Stone’s sequel to Wall Street, Money Talks.
The film also has strong supporting performances by Stephen Dillane as Harry Vardon and, especially, a serious bearded Luke Askew as Mr Campbell?, the coach for the young Francis Ouimet, the twenty-year-old who beat the British and won that Open game. Josh Flitter steals a lot of scenes as the rather chubby caddy who supports Francis Oiumet during the tournament.
The film also has strong themes about class, Harry Vardon as victim of Jersey and British society looking down on amateurs as does Francis Oiumet who serves as a caddy for the local Boston club but is not allowed to join. It is the triumph of those who have dreams and talent who are able to transcend the limitations of the society in which they live.
The film is both interesting and entertaining.
1.A film about golf, the tradition of golf films? The target audience? A wider audience?
2.A piece of Americana, the United States versus the United Kingdom, patriotism, winning in sport, the underdogs?
3.The film based on a true story, the early 20th century? Talent, competition, achievement?
4.The opening in Jersey, the austerity of the Vardon house, the large family, Harry and his love for golf, the black-coated and top-hatted men and their snobbery, condemning him? Their later appearances in his imagination – and his dissolving them?
5.The contrast with Boston, the Oiumet family, their poverty, hardworking? Francis and his love for golf, his father’s strictness and not understanding golf? His mother’s encouragement? His missing school to go to the demonstration, his being the volunteer and Harry Vardon helping him? His aims in life?
6.Francis as a caddy, the snobbery of the members of the club, their elitism, disdain for the caddies? Campbell recognising his talent, seeing him watch him with the clubs, encouraging him? His being chosen to play as an amateur in the tournament? His dressing up and going to the party? Meeting Sarah, saving her from the unwelcome suitor? Her brother and father and their snobbish attitude towards him? His father unwilling, the discussion, his promising to give up golf if he lost the tournament? Playing, over-confident, losing? Its effect?
7.Harry, his being a champion, in the UK and the United States? Hoping to be invited to join the club? The discussions with the club members, his being asked to coach? Class issues? His return to the United States, seeking out Ted Ray in Jersey, the rough Jersey style?
8.Francis, at work, in the shop, for years, the taunts from co-workers, Sarah’s visit? His going to the theatre with his mother, talking about dreams and the experience of one’s talent? The visit and the offer for him to play in the Open? His refusal, changing his mind? His father’s harsh attitude? Ousting him from the house?
9.The tournament, losing his caddy? His friend Eddie? Eddie being the caddy, his personality, size, short? A young boy? Supporting Francis, shrewdness, offering good advice? The comic touches?
10.The filming of the rounds, the US champion and his defying the British, his own lack of success, being tricked by Harry Vardon, failing? The British, their skills? Francis and his ordinariness? His being coached by Campbell? The journalists’ interest in him? Featured in the papers? His father and the newspapers?
11.Francis and the scores, the collages of the scores and the holes? Francis’ growing success?
12.The build-up to the playoff, the British and their snobbery, relying on Vardon and Ray to win? Harry and his harsh statements to Lord Northcliffe? About snobbery? The Americans and their wanting an alternate caddy for Francis? His refusal? The progress of the last round, Ray hitting the tree, Harry and his missing the hole? Francis and his win?
13.His father’s change of heart, coming to congratulate him? The taking up of the money to give to Eddie, passing around the hat?
14.The relationship with Sarah, her giving the good luck medal to Eddie, his giving it to Francis? Her coming to watch him?
15.The finale, the acclaim, Francis being carried as a hero?
16.The information at the end of the film, Francis’ achievement? Harry Vardon and his reputation? Eddie and Francis being friends all their life – and Eddie being a pallbearer at Francis’ funeral in 1967?
