I cannot believe it has been so many years ago that I first rated this movie (TEN! I would give it an eleven if I could!) but never wrote a review. First off, I will admit to some biases. I have played and adored golf for almost 60 yrs, since I was 7. Secondly, I was born and raised in the Boston area. Third, I DESPISE arrogant, holier-than-thou, self-righteous people, and am glad that among lots of western nations, the US is or at least was one of the least-conscious class societies. Fourth, Francis' incredibly loving mom reminds me of my mom. So if you share some of these things, and have never seen this movie, you may just LOVE IT!!! I found myself wanting to rip out the throat of INCREDIBLY ARROGANT Lord Northcliffe, played magnificently by Peter Firth. And best of all, this flick is based on a true event. Ouimet's (pronounced WEE-met) big upset win in 1913 US Open Golf. How big an upset was it? In 2005 when flick was released, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were two of top 3 golfers (1st and 2nd?) in world. This 1913 upset was as if the Massachusetts State Amateur champ defeated Tiger and Phil at US Open. I consider it THE greatest upset ever in sports. Even more than the 1980 (and 1960) wins by the US Olympic hockey teams over the Soviet Union.

Barely adequate sports saga set in 1913 America, with a plucky French Canadian immigrant Kid (Shia LeBouef) up against Stephen Dillane as polished English champion Harry Vardon. (A true English gentleman who is haunted by ghosts in top hats telling him he's not well born enough to be a golf champ. Yes, it's as dumb as it sounds.) There's a number of elements to this movie, and none of them work together all that well. The period clothes and settings don't really establish a mood, because all the actors talk and act in a breezy, modern, 21st century style. The dirt poor hero has a rich girl who falls for him at first sight, and Peyton List plays this Victorian beauty with a million dollar smile, tons of sex appeal, and all the modesty and decorum of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model prancing across a beach in her bikini. (Not that I'm complaining!)Veteran character actor Elias Koteas plays Ouimet senior, the bitter, hard bitten French Canadian dad who insists his son will never amount to anything. The writing here is so overdone it's like something out of WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY. ("Ze wrong kid died! Ze wrong kid died!") The irony is that the bitter father is the most believable, period authentic character in the story, and the actor playing him practically steals the movie. You keep feeling like the story is going to turn into FENCES, but of course Disney can't have an American tragedy breaking out in the middle of a feel good sports story. So the unhappy father comes around in the last reel -- and if you think that's a spoiler, you haven't seen many sports movies. Oh, and the comic relief is a fat, annoying, bratty kid who sounds about as 1913 as Eric Cartman. "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"

I really enjoyed this film, it was creative and perfectly edited. Lead actors, Stephen (Harry) and Shia (Francis) fall into their roles very well with spectacular performances. Especially the cheeky little caddie boy, he lightened up the film with his adorable performance. The golf matches that take up most of the film are exciting to watch. 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' gives insight on two very different characters but with a similar background...Harry Verdon and Francis faced similar obstacles on their way. Both came from impoverished background, just from different timelines. Although I think it would have been fair if Harry Verdon had more screen time. It would have been nice if they showed Vardon's childhood and his life in the countryside and how the mysterious men in top hats changed his life forever. Francis, like Vardon weren't welcome in the gentleman's clubs and it took them a lot of courage to make it as professional golfers, the game after all was highly discriminatory and I think Harry wanted Francis to take over the mantle, mostly because he didn't want to be the only guy from impoverished background? And actor costumes were great! Loved Stephen's natty wardrobe...looks classy!

My father was a life member of the PGA. He joined in 1931, so he was in the group of golfers that followed Francis Ouimet & Harry Vardon. I grew up with golf & found the film to be quite good, but I suspect it takes a golfer or one who knows the game to not be bored. It's not an easy sport to make exciting. However, if one has ever been present at a tournament which is match play, you know that the suspense & tension is such that you can cut it with a knife.My main issue with the film is that, while it spent quite a lot of time dealing with Francis Ouimet's social inferiority in 1913 society, it didn't fully tell the story. Today top professional sportsmen & athletes are superstar celebrities, wealthy, & the elite of society. Back then it was far different. Francis Ouimet was poor & had caddied as a child. He competed as an amateur, but an amateur was supposed to be a gentleman & a person of wealth & position.... elite. Ouimet had to step into this elite society.... but at least he could... as an amateur. Professional sportsmen were considered & treated as mere "tradesmen," because they played for cash prizes. We get a couple of scenes that show the social tension, but unless a viewer is already aware of the situation, it's not fully explained. We see Harry Vardon idolized by the galleries & theatre goers, but viewers who are unaware of the situation are left to wonder at the snide, rude remarks made towards & about Vardon by the so-called "gentlemen." Professional golfers, like Harry Vardon, were not allowed in the club houses nor the use of any of the club facilities. They had to change clothes in the caddy shack or in their cars & if they ate, it was in the caddy shack with the caddies. These class striations persisted until after WW2 when Ben Hogan refused to play in tournaments unless the pros had equal access to club houses... the dining rooms, locker rooms, showers, etc... as the amateur players. It would not have taken much to clarify this situation, but as it was, I suspect that the film left many viewers confused.