A little movie review:

I’ve been watching a lot of golf for the first time in my life, starting with the PGA tournament at Torrey Pines in early February (partly to see the paragliders — and the got hooked!). My mom loves to watch probably as much! The colors are so vivid on our new widescreen TV, which helps a lot — especially towards the end of another long Alaskan winter!

I played golf with my friend Steve during our University of Minnesota days, after high school — but haven’t since.

And I just watched this movie too, which was mostly delightful, and based on a true story; though, Disney made the father the bad guy, as they often do, or they present the father as a wimp. Disney is definitely pushing an anti-family agenda.

The Walt Disney Picture The Greatest Game Ever Played is the story of Francis Ouimet, a young man who is invited to compete in the 1913 US Open Golf Tournament despite his poor socio-economic. (source)

The young lady Francis is understandably stunned by wasn’t in the original story either; though, this probably does enhance the movie.

What is true and unexpected (and delightful in the movie!!) is that Francis’ caddy, Eddie was only 10-years-old, and they stayed lifelong friends. In the movie, however, Francis’ original caddy is bought off by one of the pros. But in real life, he was Eddie’s older brother, and was caught skipping school. So Eddie took his place, because he was somehow more successful in skipping school.

Trailer: [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv6FZMeA2Mw]

Francis and Eddie: 50 Years Later: [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbESzYZdbuA]

Eddie Lowery’s Golf Life & Career: [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABxotSX0_E]

Summary:

Delightful and inspiring movie that I would have given 4 stars had Disney not demonized the dad.

Shia Labouf was impressive, and his young caddy delightful (reminds me of smaller Patrick Reed, whom I was rooting on to win the Honda Classic in Palm Beach, a few weeks ago)!

– Jeff