A Classic Disney Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (24 May 2014)

Disney could not have done a better job with this movie. The superb screen writing was done by Mark Frost, who wrote the book on which the movie was based. The detailed set and costume design clearly suggest the year 1913. Director Bill Paxton got the very best out of his entire cast and the golf scenes suggest believable highly skilled players.
Hooked on golf from age 4, a young Francis Ouimet would stand on the sidewalk next to the 17th fairway of "The Country Club" (located directly across the street from his house) and emulate all of the golfers' swings. By age 7 he was making 28 cents per round working as a caddy for "The Country Club" and before long had constructed a 3 hole golf course in his spacious back yard.
Francis was part of the 1st generation of Americans to grow up loving the game of golf the likes of which included Gene Sarazen (credited with inventing the sand wedge); Walter Hagen (the 1st professional to actually earn a living playing golf); and Bobby Jones, the absolute greatest player of this era and easily in the top 3 of all time.
In contrast Francis' father, played by Elias Koteas, hated golf and saw it as a game played solely by pretentious wealthy people. Francis' mother loved and supported her son's efforts as she realized his God given talent for the game.
Stephen Dillane plays an outstanding Harry Vardon both in skill level and mentality. Stephen Marcus plays an excellent Ted Ray and while portraying the proper English mentality, has his moments during the film. I'm only critical of his golf swing in that he rotates both of his wrists to the right during his back swing. Anyone knowledgeable about golf knows this movement results in a nasty slice. It should be noted that Ted had a great non-politically correct seen with Amateur Wilfred Reid while Harry had one with Lord Northcliffe. It was refreshing to see their strong characters shine through in these scenes.
Best of all we see the gorgeous and talented Peyton List in the role of Francis' girlfriend. On the one hand she must honor and respect her wealthy, snobby parents; on the other hand, she's wonderfully sensitive to Francis the human being who has tenaciously taken his stand and knows no bounds of status.
Divine Providence versus free will - Eddie Lowery wound up as Francis' caddy. What are the odds? Yet, Lowery was the perfect fit to assist Francis. What caddy could have done better? It's a beautiful story and a true one. And who was Eddie Lowery; the personification of a child's enthusiasm and optimism.
Divine Providence versus cold hard reality – the question is answered in Frost's book by the only person who actually witnessed the landing and role out of Vardon's tee shot on the final 17th. So much for Lord Northcliffe's reasoning. You be the judge.
It should also be noted that Harry Vardon probably had the best of all golf quotes: Golf is master of us all !