Anyone who's ever been passionate about golf will find something to admire in
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, a staidly reverent biopic about one of the game's greatest champions. In the title role, Jim Caviezel suffers almost as much as he did in
The Passion of the Christ, portraying Jones--who made history by winning golf's elusive Grand Slam (four top tournaments in less than four months) in 1930--as a passionately committed golfer who silently endured chronic pain (a spinal disorder prompted his early retirement at age 28), stomach ailments, emotional torment, and borderline alcoholism while maintaining amateur status in the sport he so magnificently dominated. Jeremy Northam brings much-needed levity and rakish style as Jones' friend and rival golfer Walter Hagen, and Malcolm McDowell adds colorful character as Jones' friend and biographer O.B. Keeler while Claire Forlani suffers the typical biopic plight of the hero's wife, who offers compassionate empathy while wishing Jones had more time for family. With repetitive golf scenes and a somber tone of martyrdom,
Bobby Jones was partially financed by Jones' estate, which may explain its respectable dullness and instant fate as a box-office dud. Still, director Rowdy (
Road House) Herrington is clearly enamored of his subject, and some of that enthusiasm shines through the gloom.
--Jeff Shannon
1 An extremely boring, cheesy, and inaccurate portrayal
To begin, the facts within the movie are inaccurate. The film attempts to portray a series of opposing forces pulling at Bobby from different directions; i.e his mother disapproving of his golfing as it detracts from his schooling, and his father encouraging his golfing at the expense of his studies. This if false, as his mother was really an avid golfer, and the family used to go golfing together quite avidly.
The list goes on with false portrayals of of his tournament play, the nature of his relationship with Walter Hagen, his home life, the nature of his study habits, and even the portrayal of the personality and character of Bobby Jones himself is inaccurate within the film.
As if the above list is not enough to ruin the film, the production of the film was the final straw.
The story line was scattered and choppy. It didn't flow and if you did not have some prior knowledge of the life of Bobby Jones, you would probably not be able to understand the significance of many of the scenes.
The dialogue was cheesy, the story line was poorly edited, and the facts of Jones' life were both distorted and often outright wrong.
The only positive lights in this film were the scenes of St. Andrews. But its pretty hard to botch up footage of the greatest golf course in history.
2 "Whatever you do, don't stop hitting the ball"
Over earnest, intermittently dull, and with an excessively embellished musical score, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius is still pretty entertaining, and golfing fanatics are going to totally love it. Other viewers certainly don't have to know anything about golf to appreciate the film because the pleasure in watching is leaning all about who Georgia born golf legend Booby Jones actually was, and also watching actor, Jim Caviezel do a terrific job of bringing the highly moral, focused, and often-reluctant star golfer to life.
Bobby Jones was the only man ever to win the four major tournaments in one year. A man of integrity, he disliked fame, hated the thought of playing for money, and was the consummate gentleman amateur who won simply by showing up. Battling ill health, and plagued by a nervous disorder, Bobby retired in 1930, at age 28. This good hearted biopic traces the golf master's evolution from a sickly Atlanta childhood, where his father encouraged him to play golf against his mother's better judgment, to a 14-year-old competition wonder where he goes up against the pros., to his Grand Slam rout of the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, British Amateur and British Open titles.
The movie's story is generic in every respect, but the pleasure of watching is in Caviezel's totally nuanced performance, where he brings a surprising degree of emotional heft to the role of Jones. Gifted from an early age, and totally driven, Caviezel plays him as a man who has tremendous veracity and honesty, and who wants to do the right thing by his wife, Mary (a gorgeous Claire Forlani), while also satisfying his concerned but loving parents Bob and Clara (Connie Ray and Brett Rice). He's so ambitious, and single-minded, that he eventually goes on to complete two Masters, obtain a law degree, and try his hand at selling real estate while still playing championship golf!
Throughout the film the viewer is introduced to a variety of affable and genial folk, both in America and in Scotland, who influence and affect his life: O.B. Keeler (Malcolm McDowell), is the Atlanta Journal sportswriter who becomes Jones' best friend and confidant; Walter Hagen (a strutting and preening Jeremy Northam), is Jones's main competitor - a pleasure-seeking professional who is at times Bobby's friendly mentor but can't help be annoyed by his rival's ingenuous success, and Dan Albright, who plays Bobby's rigid, bible-bashing grandfather, who thinks Bobby should be doing something more productive with his time.
Although the movie is set against the background of the tumultuous 1920's where prohibition was in force, it doesn't really offer any lasting social comment, except in one scene where Bobby - forced to explain why he won't play for money - precipitously and calmly states that "money will ruin this game one day"; it's a starling reminder of how far money and sports have come.
The movie is gorgeous to look at, with the locations in Georgia and Scotland well chosen, as well as some of the most exquisitely contoured and gentle fairways. Much care has obviously been lavished on the costumes, designed by Beverly Safier, and other period detail given what was undeniably a limited budget. Yes - the film is at times ambling, staid, and considered, just like the game itself. And despite the vigorous, lets get on to the next chapter narrative, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius remains relaxed, leisurely, and unforced, exactly the way an enjoyable round of golf should be. Mike Leonard March 05.
3 Falls short of its potential.
As someone who loves the game and its history, I was very much looking forward to this movie. While I enjoyed it, it fell short of what it could have been.
First, it was too long. The most obvious editing strategy would have been to spend less time in Bobby's childhood. Setting up the facts that he was sickly, temperamental, and gifted at the game could have taken much less time.
Second, I believe viewers who have only a casual knowledge of golf might have been confused by some of the scenes; in particular, the climactic moment when Bobby completes the Grand Slam. Both players miss their putts, and without finishing the hole they shake hands as the crowd cheers. If you know about match play golf, you know what's happening; but if not, you may be wondering why it's over when neither play putts the ball into the hole.
One final criticism: I'm not certain, but I believe Bobby's illness did not become apparent until after he retired from competitive golf. The movie suggests that it was affecting him even before his triumphant 1930 season.
But there is much to like about the film. The scenes at the Old Course in St. Andrews are beautiful. The period sets and costumes are very good. The performances by Caviezel, Claire Forlani, Malcolm McDowell, and others are good. And I was impressed by attention to detail: For example, when young Bobby plays in the U.S. Amateur at Merion, the filmmakers were meticulous enough to show the famous wicker baskets that club uses in place of flags on the flagsticks.
All in all, a fairly enjoyable film that could have been better.
4 A fine film about one of the greatest golfers of all time
The name of Bobby Jones has an aura of greatness and gentility about it that still shines more than seventy years since he retired from competitive golf and more than thirty years since his death. In our age of money sports, it is difficult to conceive of how anyone could accomplish all Bobby Jones accomplished as an amateur. If you count all his victories at professional tournaments (for which he received not a dime) and his amateur championship victories (which had a much higher status than they do today), he is still second to only Jack Nicklaus and still ahead of such luminaries as Tiger Woods, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and, well, everyone else. If you only count professional championships, Bobby Jones is still tied for eighth.
Oh, and he is the still the only man to ever win the golfing Grand Slam in a single season. The closest anyone has come is the amazing four straight majors by Tiger Woods a few years back. (Look, when Tiger was the defending champion at all four major championships, you have to acknowledge something near miraculous had been accomplished.)
Never mind that along the way he received undergraduate degrees in Engineering from Georgia Tech and in English from Harvard. He also studied law for a year at Emory University and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1928 (all before he accomplished the Grand Slam in 1930). He was also married in 1924. He and his wife, Mary, raised three children. Oh, and he founded and built Augusta National and founded the Masters Tournament.
So, no matter what you admire, pure sports accomplishment, sports history, nostalgia for lost nobility, the idea of a balanced life, or just about anything else you want to project onto his life, Bobby Jones lived a life worth knowing something about. This film, "Bobby Jones: A Stroke of Genius" is a good bio-pic that tells us about how Bobby Jones became the golfing prodigy he was and the toll winning all those tournaments took on him.
I had always had the vague notion that Bobby Jones simply retired because, like some Classic Hero, he had no more worlds to conquer. It may have been partly that, but it was also that the pressure he put on himself to win taxed him to his limits and he valued his family life enough to walk away rather than lose what mattered most in life.
This film does not look to demean Bobby Jones in any way or discuss those aspects of that time in the South that would be repugnant to us today sitting smugly in our culture of Political Correctness. Rather, this is about his golfing life and career and his relationship with his father, grandfather, mother, wife, Walter Hagen, and O.B. Keeler (the writer for the Atlanta Journal who followed Jones's career - here wonderfully played by Malcolm McDowell).
James Caviezel does a good job showing us the nobility that rose through the torment of Jones's life and Jeremy Northam does a fine job as the dissolute Walter Hagen acting as the foil for Jones. Is the film more hagiography that biography? Probably, yes. Could it have been darker and more demeaning of Jones? Also, probably, yes. But why? Jones earned his legendary reputation and that is part of his life as well. We should treasure such greatness rather than cheat ourselves of it by dragging it through imported mud.
A good film for everyone not just golfers. Oh, beware, there is a bit of profanity - I guess Jones swore when he was younger and became frustrated. The swearing, such as it is, is more endearing than shocking - at least in the way it is presented to us in the film.
5 The critics are wrong...again.
I loved this movie. First of all it is beautiful. The scenes shot at St. Andrews, Scotland are fabulous. This was the first movie ever filmed on the legendary St. Andrews course. It's also a compelling glimpse of importance of high personal character, and how our baser qualities can be overcome. We need more movies like this, which is probably why the critics from most of the liberal publications hated and belittled it.
6 Pretty Cool, sometimes slow
I rather enjoyed this film called "Bobby Jones." I am a mild golf fan, but I did not know a lot about Jones, imagine that! I can remember wanting to see this film for awhile when I heard Jim Caviezel talking about the film on the Rush Limbaugh radio show. It certainly was interesting to learn about Jones, even when the pace of the movie was a tad slow at times.
There are some important lessons that are stressed in this movie about overcoming adversity, money ruining sports, and "there are more important things than winning championships." Another thing is the costumes are cool of course and remind me of my favorite golfer, the late Payne Stewart.
This is not an awesome, life changing film, but it is still a lot better than most of the films that come out of Hollywood. There is no doubt that the film's treatment of Jones was a tad saintly, and some moments are slow and detatched, but in the end it was pretty cool and inspiring.
7 More Than A Sport/A Game
With maturity comes interest in more important things. Jones' friend O.B.Keeler says them in this best golf film: 1) Money will ruin sport; 2) Life consists of much more than winning championships; 3) You've did so much for other people, e.g. winning championships for your dad, etc, now what are you going to do for yourself upon retirment from competitive golf? Build Augusta National!
This well acted life of Bobby Jones is so well done by the actors. Give them all credit, they masterfully created essence of this great sportsman's life. The drama is slow developing and is not sensational, thus swimming upstream in our cultural air. That is why I enjoyed it so immensely. For this reviewer it is in the class of "Chariots of Fire."
More like this. The world needs it.
8 Better than the critics say
As a golfer who loves the game of golf I think this movie has been underrated. But even for those who are not golfers I think they will appreciate the story. The filming at St. Andrews is excellent and the first commercial filming that has ever been allowed. Be sure to watch the extras on the DVD, especially on the making of the film.
9 Awesome
It's hard to imagine that this movie did not perform better at the box office; it's by far one of the better movies this year, and certainly one of the best golfing movies. Everything about it is inspiring and beatiful...the story, the characters, the settings. I'll admit the pacing is not exactly fast, but the overall message makes up for this.
10 He was the best.
Bobby Jones was the greatest golfer who ever lived. This film reminds us of that. It also makes it a point to prove that he was one of the most boring people in the world too. He was impeccably honest, brilliant, faithful to his wife and just happened to be an extraordinary golfer. Only golf fans would be interested in this movie in the first place, and since we already knew his achievements, there was never a climax hoping to see if he would make the 80 foot snaking putt in Scotland Yard. There were surprises, his early frustrations, the fact that he never turned pro, and his physical maladies. But, not enough interest to spend 2 hours watching it take place. Bobby Jones can't receieve enough credit as a golfer, as a film, however, it doesn't deserve much.
11 Jesus Plays Golf
After watching this film I feel that we need to have a serious talk about Jim Caviezel's ego. Just in case he wasn't feeling quite perfect enough after playing Jesus, he signs up for another film in which he is portrayed as being far above human. In fact, director Rowdy Herrington made great strides to try to make the audience forget that Bobby Jones was actually human. We see Jones turning down women and money and gambling. We see Jones overcome injury. And we see it all while the score in the background has us expecting Jones to suddenly rise up and levitate into the heavens. All the things that he did in the film he very well may have done in real life. However, when a film casually glosses over any faults he may have it destroys the credibility of the picture as a whole. This film also had the feel of a made for TV movie. It was cheesy and simplistic, and in the end I just wanted this melodrama to be over. The film tries to teach us that pride is more important that money. To do so they paint this horrible picture of rich, white society where nothing matters so long as you are rich and religious. But aren't those the people that idolize Bobby Jones, and who would be willing to watch this film? I've always thought it best not to insult your main customer. Above all this I also felt as though the film had no creativity. Yes, we know all athletes have family members who don't approve. We also know that anytime we see a kid in a man's world he is accompanied by ice cream (see "Little Big League"). And by the end of this film you will know that this parade of clichˇs is not worth your time. 2 out of 5.
12 Great Movie!
*****
This movie was exemplary from the get-go---the acting, the story, the golf scenes---beatiful! It is the story of Bobby Jones' personal journey to greatness. It is not just for golfers, but for anyone interested in being entertained, inspired, and uplifted, all at the same time.
Of course, Bobby Jones' story is true as well. The movie illustrates his struggles balancing family concerns with golf, struggling with physical pain and chronic illness, and the pressures faced by a great athlete. Bobby Jones was an individual with courage and integrity. Special features include an actual clip of a speech made by Bobby Jones. Movies this good are not made often enough!
*****
13 The story of Bobby Jones as the patron saint of golf
Bobby Jones was to golf as Babe Ruth was to baseball, but unlike the Bambino his greatest legacy still stands secure three-quarter of a century later. In 1930 he won what would come to be known as the Grand Slam, winning all four of the major golf tournaments in the same year. The feat has never been duplicated, although Tiger Woods did accomplish what is being called the "Tiger Slam," which is to hold all four titles at the same time although not in the same year. But Jones accomplished this feat as an amateur, and as is amply evidenced in this film, an "amateur" in the truest sense of the word, not to mention one that has all but been forgotten in contemporary sports.
Since Jim Caviezel filmed "Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius" right after he finished "The Passion of the Christ," it has invited a lot of Jesus Jones/Bobby Christ jokes. Given how the actor presented a very human Jesus in the flashback's in Mel Gibson's movie, it would be rather ironic if his performance as Jones constitutes more of a saintly figure. But what really drives the notion that Bobby Jones is a holy figure in this movie is not Caviezel's performance but the musical score by James Horner, which sanctifies the character before he ever appears in the film and does not let up throughout the rest of the movie. From the time that the young Bobby Jones (Devon Gearhart) first picks up a golf club, to the teenager (Thomas Lewis) who first starts winning golf tournaments, the music makes it clear that he is destined for a greatness that amounts to deification. As such, this is one of the most counterproductive musical scores I have heard in quite some time (to wit, it is sub-par, but not in the good way, like on a golf course).
It is also ironic that this film comes out on DVD at a time when the two biggest stories in the world of sports are baseball players like Barry Bonds taking steroids and other things to enhance performance and the basketbrawl between the Indiana Pacers and the fans in Detroit. We see that Jones was plagued by physical problems as well as having a terrible temper, but he rises above such concerns in ways that seem beyond the capabilities of modern sports icons (the film hints that he might be an alcoholic but at the end we learn that he would eventually be crippled by a degenerative spinal disease). For that matter, the decision of Jones to walk away from competitive golf at the age of 28, having set a mark that has never been equaled, is eminently laudable, even more so when compared to the recent decision of football player Ricky Williams to retire in order to avoid being suspended for drug use.
There are several standard sport biopic subplots in "Bobby Jones" as well. He has an over protective mother (Clara Jones), and while his father (Dan Albright) encourages his love of golf, Bobby's grandfather (Brett Rice) strongly disapproves. Fortunately winning golf tournaments and becoming famous helps to solve such family problems. More important become Bobby's relationships with the woman he marries, Mary Malone (Claire Forlani), the reporter who covers his life, O.B. Keeler (Malcolm McDowell), and the man who is his arch nemesis on the golf course, Walter Hagen (Jeremy Northam). For the most part all of these people sit around and watch Jones work his miracles on the golf course, and the most memorable moments in the film tend to come when Hagen's face articulates what he cannot say, which is that he is neither the golfer that Bobby Jones nor the man.
In comparison to "Seabiscuit," the most successful sports biopic of recent years, "Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius" is just too earnest in its depiction of greatness. The title of the film alone indicates they are engaging in overkill and the fact that the film was produced by a company called Bobby Jones Films LLC provides a big clue as to why his life is depicted with a reverence that is usually afforded only to Biblical figures. The final irony is that I watched "Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius" the same day that I watched "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," because while both are loaded with sports clichˇs, the latter embraces them lightheartedly while in the former they become a burdesome cross to bear. However, they did get to film on the Old Course at St. Andrews and we do learn why there are 18 holes on a golf course, which are both good things (especially since they bring Robin William's routine on the origins of golf to mind).
14 Rare and Beautiful--This one's a keeper!
This film is a rare jewel...something to treasure always. What a great and inspirational story! Why aren't there more movies of this genre? Obviously, part of the answer resides in the subject matter itself: Bobby Jones was an exceptional individual. The film portrays him as he evidently really was and does not sugar-coat the character. We enter the world of Jones and we get to know the man-- his strengths, his weaknesses, his humor, his moral fiber, his incorruptible nature. This movie is NOT about golf--the game was a vehicule for Jones' personal journey. As Kipling is quoted in the film: "...if you can meet triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors as just the same.." and, indeed, Jones did! This movie has such a warm glow and the actors are nothing short of magnificent. Jim Caviezel slips into the lead character and incarnates Jones--even his golf swing is reproduced with remarkable precision! Caviezel shares so many qualities with Jones: charm, humor, vulnerability, intensity, and strength.
Malcolm MacDowell is loveable as Keeler and always the voice of reason as Bobby's mentor and friend; Brett Rice is equally believable as Bobby's father; and Aidan Quinn makes an understated but memorable cameo appearance as Vardon. And who can forget Jeremy Northam as Jones' counterpart...Walter Hagen-- the amusing, egocentric, incorrigible, and all-too-human opponent! Add to this the meticulous attention to detail in the wardrobes and other 1920s period items(like the automobiles!), the perfectly synchronized musical score by Horner, and the breathtaking landscapes and you've got yourself a work of unusual beauty and grace--like poetry, only even better!
15 Mr Jeff Shannon, your Edtorial was inacurate.
I am a member of Robert Tyre Jones's family. We had no financial investment whatsoever in this film. The producers and writers were kind enough to ask for our input about some of the family background for the picture. As for the borderline alchoholism........ where'd you get that? Because he drank along with everyone else in the movie that puts him in line for the Big Book? I think you may have jumped to a conclusion that is not supported.
Now, as for the movie, the strongest critics have probably been our family. We very much liked the movie, the cast was top notch, the music by James Horner was superb, the scenery and costumes were meticulously in period. Mr. Jones did not lead a flamboyant life, he was an extremely well educated southern gentleman, he was a family man.Naturally this will make for a sedate and well mannered yet entertaining film. It would have been inappropriate to add sex and car jackings in there for ratings. He was given the Freedom of the City of St. Andrews, Scotland in 1957, the only other American to have recieved this honor was Benjamin Franklin. I give this movie a 2 thumbs up. Box office does not make a movie good a movie stands on it's own merit. I highly recommend this to families in their homes on DVD.
16 Epic Golf Movie
Great characters throughout this movie with lovely music and photography as well. Quite a treat to see.
17 Historically Accurate
Over the years I have researched Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen.
This film is historically accurate. Great job on early life of Bob Jones. However, the casting could have been better for Jones and Hagen in this film.
The cast members playing Bob Jones and Walter Hagen in The Legend of Bagger Vance was more believeable, including their swings and demeanors.
Overall good -- just need to swap actors playing Jones and Hagen in The Legend of Bagger Vance for the film to be outstanding.
18 Bobby Jones Integrity
I am not a golfer, but seeing this movie made me want to play. I was impressed by the beauty of the golf courses. Bobby impressed me very much. I liked his sense of honesty. He is a good roll model for young men. This movie is a classic to me. When you want to come away from a movie feeling good, go see this one. The way the story was told was very good. From a small boy, and then growing up. I thought Jim Caviezel looked very much like Bobby. I was not bored at all.
19 King of Swings
As powerful as the movie and Jim Caviezel's portrayal of Christ in The Passion of the Christ is, the movie IS NOT ENTERTAINING. Big Surprise! This movie is entertaining to watch because of Caviezel's subtle portrayal of Bobby Jones, the good supporting cast, the wonderful scenery, and the positive message of the movie. I'm definitely going to purchase the DVD, and I don't even like golf!
20 Fore the love of the game
For as long as I can remember my goal in life was to be the starting third baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Which was an ambitious goal considering I never even started on my Little League teams. I always thought that if I was gifted in baseball that I would be willing to play without pay. I loved the game that much.
Bobby Jones loved golf like I love baseball and he had the ability that matched his desire. He also had a life outside of Golf and was never content to be defined by what he accomplished as a player.
Jim Caviezel is amazingly convincing as Bobby Jones. Caviezel has a remarkable ability to become the character he is portraying. His dead-on performance brings added poignancy to the narrative.
The story is also aided by the strong performances of Claire Forlani as Jone's wife and Jeremy Northam as his main rival, Walter Hagen. In lesser hands these supporting roles could have been caricatures that did little to add to the pathos or the plot.
Through these performance and through the extraordinary golf sequences the viewer comes away with an acute understanding of the love affair that people have with the games they play.
21 Love Bobby Jones, not the movie
Being an Atlanta native, I grew up with the legend of Bobby Jones. It's a shame that the movie did not match his standards for quality in his golf and his life. It is slow and plodding, the acting stiff and the scenes awkwardly staged not very natural. Instead of feeling you were in 1920, you constantly sensed that it was shot today trying to imitate 1920. James Caviezel was actually pretty good, but the movie as a whole just had an amateurish production quality. Bobby Jones was a great person, more so than a great golfer. The movie tried to show this, I just wish it could have been done more professionally.
22 Bobby Jones -
I had the pleasure of seeing this movie at its premiere in NYC and learning more about the making of the film. The film itself is well done and gives you a real sense of the character of Bob Jones. He is a man that overcame his own problems through discipline, strength of character, and determination. No excuses, just do it. Lessons most of us need to practice!
But the story behind the story is just as inspiring. The independent film made by the Bobby Jones Film Foundation was made on a shoestring budget yet has continued to give and raise money for charities. The foundation believes in the philanthropic legacy of the Jones family - there's more to life that money and winning championships. Bobby Jones was diagnosed and suffered from syringomyelia - a painful and degenerative spinal disorder that some 240,000 Americans suffer from.
The American Syringomyelia Alliance Project (ASAP) is a non-profit charity supporting research and education for people affected by syringomyelia. The Jones family and the Bobby Jones Film Foundation are generously supporting ASAP as well as other charities. Bobby Jones chose to make the best of his life despite syringomyelia - through his continuing legacy, ASAP is improving the lives of those with syringomyelia today. Go see this film and be prepared to be inspired.
(...)
23 A well told period piece, set in Bobby Jones' world of golf
Bobby Jones was a golf legend in his time. He made a name for himself in the 1920s and 1930s by winning some of the most coveted tournaments in golf. This is his story, lovingly told.
We first meet Bobby as a small boy in Georgia. He been sickly as a baby and his mother wants to overprotect him. But he tags along when his father is trying to perfect his own skill at the game, and eventually Bobby wins some tournaments as a teenager. We all want him to win, despite the fact that he has a tendency to overreact when he misses a shot and throws his golf clubs around.
As he grows into manhood the role of Bobby, the adult, is taken over by Jim Caviezel. He's actually 36 years old and looked a little old for the part, which followed Bobby's career up to the age of 28, when he quit golf forever, suffering from a debilitating neurological disease. Bobby's a good guy, marrying his young sweetheart and becoming a father of two small children. Problem is that, in spite of Bobby getting a college education, he still loved his golf and kept traveling around the world to play. This disturbed his wife, who understood the strain Bobby was always under when he played. We all get to feel Bobby's stress as we watch his semi-breakdowns, which wound up to be medical in nature.
Some of the film was shot at St. Andrew's golf course in Scotland, and really captured the challenges of that particular course. The period of history was beautifully rendered as well, with all the details in place to transport the viewer into the time period evoked. It was a pleasure to step into that world for the course of the film.
I guess this could be called an inspiring story of this man who overcame adversity and won so many accolades. He certainly is a legend in the golf world. I was glad to learn something about him, even though I felt the story dragged too much and never really captured my heart.
