vincentlynch-moonoi
So, why did this film flop...so badly. Simple. To enjoy this film you pretty much have to have a true interest in golf, and perhaps even more so, and interest in the history of golf. That brings things down to a pretty small audience.That being said, this is a very good film. I do have to admit that I preferred the depiction of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen in "The Legend Of Bagger Vance", but the depictions here are probably more accurate. The film also suffers from being a bit too long...123 minutes...it could have been edited more tightly. And, I wish it had spent a little time telling about Jones' illness later in life.The performances here are, in my view, solid. Jim Caviezel was excellent as Bobby Jones, although I did prefer the depiction by Joel Gretsch in "Bagger Vance". Claire Forlani is good as Jone's wife. Jeremy Northam was good as Walter Hagen, although again, I preferred the depiction by Bruce McGill in "Bagger Vance". I never cared for Malcolm McDowell in his younger years, but as he has matured I've come to appreciate his performances, and he's enjoyable here. I almost didn't recognize Aidan Quinn as a British golfer...watch for him...it's a rather small part. Brett Rice was very good as Bobby's father, and Connie Ray good as his mother. Dan Albright was interesting as the grandfather. I also enjoyed Paul Freeman as the Scottish caddy.If you're a golfer, I recommend this film. If you're not a golfer, you may find it boring. But it is a nicely executed film.
Flickmasta
Bobby Jones' life was amazing and this movie missed a great opportunity to tell all. This movie is very slow. The acting is good, but the direction is boring. There could've been more suspense when Jones went for the Grand Slam. The movie only covers Jones from age 6 to 28. It would've been cool if the movie showed how Jones revolutionized golf instruction and equipment production after his retirement at age 28, how Augusta National was formed, and how the Masters was started. Give me birth to death not 6 to 28. This movie should have been promoted better too. It grossed less than $3 million and costed $17. Sad. It should've been called "Bobby Jones: Grand Slam" so people wouldn't think the titled was ripped off. With Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Martin Scorsese directing it (much like the Aviator), this would have been awesome.
lpersons-2
OK....I am not a golfer and don't care about golf.. I wasn't going to watch the movie based solely on this, but it was just on TV, and I thought I would just watch a few minutes and see if it would be worth watching. It was!! It is a great movie even if you know nothing about golf and don't care about learning anything about golf. It is a wonderfully done movie with great historical information and a great group of actors and actresses who make the entire movie pleasurable. It follows the life on a golfing legend Bobby Jones, who started playing golf as a child and continued playing amateur golf and is the only person to win the Grand Slam of golf (ok, so maybe I don't remember what the name for the big thing he won, but it was 4 big golf championships). The movie is well worth the time to watch whether you love golf or know nothing about the game.
mjf-12
I chose to watch this DVD with low expectations and came away with about what I expected. I am a golf addict and I heard the golf scenes were decent so I figured I'd give it a try.The script (up until 1927) follows Jones' autobiography, "Down The Fairway," pretty closely. In other words, it is the standard, whitewashed, "just the facts" story of Jones' life as Jones himself might have wanted you to know it. It's great for kids and good for hardcore golfers, but it will disappoint discerning movie watchers.Everybody knows Bobby Jones won the Grand Slam of golf in 1931. Therefore, simply put, the plot lacks suspense. Occasionally, we have glimpses into Jones' battles against his physical / neurological disorder. This provides a bit of drama and does inspire awe for what the man was able to accomplish. Also, there are hints at his reliance on the bottle and the temptations and debauchery of the "Jazz Age." However, generally speaking, it's a standard feel-good story that (contrived Southern accents aside) somewhat delivers. The production values and acting are decent. The golf scenes are adequate. The story is somewhat bland.Those interested in Bobby Jones should watch the "How I Play Golf" series on the Golf Channel, featuring the real Bobby Jones. These are greatly entertaining and feature Jones in his full glory as a golfer!Note: The DVD extras are fairly weak with the exception of actual footage of Jones giving a speech at St. Andrews in (I think) 1956.
AD
