The underdog is the most beloved of all sports heroes. Boxers have Rocky, football players have Rudy, and now golfers have Francis Ouimet.
 Story: The Greatest Game Ever Played, based on the book of the same name, is the true story of American working class Francis Ouimet and British golf champion Harry Vardon. While the book is a dual biography, the film focuses more on Francis’ story.
Francis, born to immigrant parents, has gro up directly across from a country club. In order to help his parents, he has caddied there since he was a young boy. Now he is 20-years-old, and he is quite adept at the sport. The only problem is that golf is a gentleman’s sport, not to be played by the working class, much less a caddy. Francis’ father wants him to give up a game that doesn’t bring home a wage, but his mother is supportive of her son’s talents. Thanks to a benevolent member of the country club who sees promise in Francis, he is able to enter the US Open – which is played at the country club – as an amateur.
The story sounds simple, and it is. The greatness of this film is not a twist or surprise ending. In fact the story is fairly predictable. Its charm is in its simplicity. It follows the story of a young man who cares about his 10-year-old caddy more than he cares about winning. In an interview with LIFETEEN.com, director Bill Paxton said he didn’t care so much where the ball went. What he cared about was what was going on in the eyes of the players. This is apparent in the film, as many times after a shot the camera will follow Francis or Harry instead of showing their shot. It is a unique take on the typical sports film, which many times boorishly follows the ups and downs of the game with little regard to the psyche of the player.
 The acting, costumes, and environment do an excellent job of transporting the viewer to early 1900’s Boston. In a film like this, suspension of belief is critical, and not once was I pulled from the world that was created. It takes place in a simpler time, before the Great Depression and the great wars. Life is still a struggle for Francis and his family, but it is a good struggle because it is motivated by love.
Pro-Social Content: One of the strongest themes presented is that of hope. Francis learns from Harry never to despair, but to keep his head under control, and to win championships. The class struggle presented also teaches that is not where you come from, your wealth, or your parents that define you. It is who you are that matters, whether in sports or in life. Finally, the importance of family is depicted in Francis’ home life. It doesn’t really matter whether he wins or not. What matters is whether his father supports him.
Objectionable Content: None. Take a date. Take your parents. Heck, even take you little brother. Everyone will have a good time.
Summay/Suggestions: The Greatest Game Ever Played gives Francis’ story the four-star treatment it deserves. It is the story of a man more than of the sport, and yet this man has had a greater impact on golf in America than any other figure. Because of this, it doesn’t matter what you think of the sport of golf; you are still going to love this movie.
-Adam Robezzoli
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