138. The Phantom Of The Open; movie review

 

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN

Cert 12A

106 mins

BBFC advice: Contains  infrequent strong language

I've read the book and I am a golf obsessive so I was bound to love The Phantom Of the Open.

But the real barometer was the joy which Mr and Mrs W Senior derived from Mark Rylance's portrayal of the never-say-die spirit of Maurice Flitcroft.

My mum has never played golf and my dad last wielded a club 40 years ago but both laughed throughout and proclaimed it was "brilliant".

Flitcroft recorded the highest (worst) score in the history of the Open Championship, the oldest and most prestigious competition in golf.

But that is only a small part of his story as he competed without having ever previously played 18 holes in his life.

Rylance plays the irrepressible crane driver who promises his wife (Sally Hawkins), caviar, diamonds, champagne and trips around the world but has seen his dreams wane in favour of their three sons.

Then arrives the fateful day that a professional golf tournament appears on television and he becomes obsessed with the notion that, with hard practice, he could win the Open.

Craig Roberts' film inevitably misses quite a lot from the Flitcroft back story and adds a couple of elements for dramatic effect.

But it does represent the four hours which made him famous - the Open qualifier at Formby in which he scored 121 (49 over par).

It then becomes more of a comedy/drama which focuses on the pressures his new-found fame have on his family and the golfing establishment.

Christian Lees and Jonah Lees play the Flitcroft twins, Gene and James, who become disco dancing champions.

Meanwhile, their step-brother Michael (Jake Davies) who had been adopted by Maurice, is an ambitious executive at the shipyard whose name is being tarnished by Flitcroft's golfing exploits.

Rhys Ifans plays the Secretary of the Royal & Ancient and and it becomes his avowed intent to stop our hero bringing his game into disrepute.

But the more he tries to stop him, the more Maurice battles on.

Anyone who plays golf will love The Phantom Of the Open even if there are obvious embellishments (TV crews would not be at an Open qualifier).

It captures the love of our great game as well as its eccentricities and is a jolly good giggle. And flippin' 'eck, I reckon Rylance is great.

Reasons to watch: Impish comedy

Reasons to avoid: Does not quite live up to the book

Laughs: Five

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? The worst score on a single hole in the Open proper is believed to be a 21, recorded at Prestwick in the first Championship in 1860.

The final word. Craig Roberts: "Fair play! I loved that he (Flitcroft) believed in himself that much, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He was a real dreamer." Film Stories

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