The Greatest Game Ever Played

The Greatest Game Ever Played (Director: Bill Paxton)

Actor Bill Paxton's last directorial stint was Frailty. Mark Frost's screenplay is based on his book of the same name, chronicling the 1913 U.S. Open of golf.

More poor versus rich. You'd think these stuffy rich white guys would learn a lesson. Poor people can compete, too. Really, though, isn't it because they're just jealous? Probably.

Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) is this week's poor guy who actually has some talent on the links, and thanks to some rich white people who take notice, gets a chance to become The Next Big Thing. Of course, life is hard. His father Arthur (Elias Koteas) doesn't like the idea of his son following a dream instead of working menial tasks for pennies, a life that he agrees with as his lot in life. Also, Francis seems to get a little edgy when certain people are around watching him play, and he chokes like the 2004 Yankees in the ALCS. Also, yes, rich people are assholes. Almost all of them are. But, miraculously, after some ups and downs, Francis qualifies for the U.S. Open, and finds himself in direct competition with English golfers Ted Ray (Stephen Marcus) and multi-time champion Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane), who also have poor roots but are now being treated like kings by the English sponsers who want all sports trophies to go to England--after all, dammit, they invented the sport.

So, there's the setup, and you guessed it, the golf match is great, possibly the greatest ever played. Incredible shots, constant ties, and an 18-hole playoff await. It's exactly the type of movie a sports fan and a feel-good movie fan wants. And Director Bill Paxton shows a great amount of flair behind the camera in telling this story. Loved Shia LaBeouf--hopefully he won't be in movies like I, Robot or Constantine anymore. Liked the kid who played his caddy, Eddie Lowery (Josh Flitter), even though the previews focused on the annoying I'm-a-kid-but-I-can-do-this part of his performance. In fact, everybody gets a cookie here. Absolutely no one sucks acting here. The supporting actor who steals the show, though, is Stephen Marcus. Last seen by most of us as Nick the Greek in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, his character's pride in his humble beginnings and his home of Jersey make for some funny observations and actions.

So, pile the kids in the car and watch it. Or take a loved one. Or take your worst enemy and point to all the dickhead rich folks in this picture, turn to that person, and say, "That's you."