Featured Audience Ratings

• Clintus M

  
  The Greatest Game Ever Played is an excellent family-friendly, underdog, sports-themed film in the Disney tradition. I thoroughly enjoyed the cast; the young Shia LaBouf was perfect for the role. Sure, it's clichéd at times; the class conflict/social structure theme permeates… More
  The Greatest Game Ever Played is an excellent family-friendly, underdog, sports-themed film in the Disney tradition. I thoroughly enjoyed the cast; the young Shia LaBouf was perfect for the role. Sure, it's clichéd at times; the class conflict/social structure theme permeates the movie and is too heavy-handed at times. It's a period drama which may not be familiar to viewers not schooled in golfing history. In the early 1900s, golf was new to America and dominated by British champions such as Harry Vardon. Furthermore, the game belonged to the upper crust of society, those who inhabited exclusive country clubs. However, both Vardon and Francis Ouimet (LaBouf's character) arose from humble beginnings and signaled changes to come. It's predictable in the Disney tradition but positive and uplifting nonetheless. The golf itself is interesting, but this isn't Rocky in terms of sports excitement. The film even has several fine comedic moments, especially those featuring Ouimet's caddy, a plucky fifth-grader. In short, it's an enjoyable film, and you don't have to like golf to appreciate it.

• Jameson W

  
  Good film! Shia LeBeouf was good, and Stephen Dillane was perfectly cast.

• Mike S

  
  Why had I not heard of this film before? It would have gone completely under my radar, if it weren't for me catching it on TV, when randomly zapping through some channels. I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention than it has, because it's quite a remarkable… More
  Why had I not heard of this film before? It would have gone completely under my radar, if it weren't for me catching it on TV, when randomly zapping through some channels. I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention than it has, because it's quite a remarkable and inspiring story, about a young boy from an unprivileged background, who blows everyone away as he defeats his own idol in the 1913 US Open. Being a golf player myself (or was at least, I haven't played for years now), it was very interesting learn a bit of its history, and to see what the game looked like at its humble beginnings, almost a century ago. Shia LaBeouf, who in my opinion is a very underrated actor, excels in his role and brings some of his finest acting to date. Better yet, it also reminded me of all the good times I've had during my golfing years, and made me wanna pick up my clubs again and head out on the grass fields. It's only handicap (pun intended), is its rigid adherence to the big book of sports-movie clichés: An underdog from a poor background, who fights against the odds. The unsupportive father, who thinks he's wasting his time and should get a "real job". The upper class snobs, who mocks his every breath, until they are forced to recognize his incredible talent. The list could be made very long. Other than that though, it's an uplifting true story that, however ironic it may sound, goes well below par in its final score.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Tyler Brody Stein, Shia LaBeouf, Elias Koteas, Josh Flitter, Max Kasch, Stephen Dillane, Peter Firth, Peyton List, Jackie Burroughs, Luke Askew, Len Cariou Director: Bill Paxton Summary: With a pint-sized caddie (Josh Flitter) at his side, amateur golfer Francis Ouimet… More
  Cast: Tyler Brody Stein, Shia LaBeouf, Elias Koteas, Josh Flitter, Max Kasch, Stephen Dillane, Peter Firth, Peyton List, Jackie Burroughs, Luke Askew, Len Cariou Director: Bill Paxton Summary: With a pint-sized caddie (Josh Flitter) at his side, amateur golfer Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) shocked the world at the 1913 U.S. Open when he outplayed defending British champ Harry Vardon in what was dubbed "The Greatest Game Ever Played." But Ouimet's rise to the top wasn't easy, with a hard-nosed father (Elias Koteas) and a hard-knock life to overcome. My Thoughts: "I didn't think I would ever enjoy a golf movie, but I did. I don't like the sport personally, I find it to be a complete bore. But my reasonings for choosing to watch this film was based on the fact that it stars Shia LaBeouf. He was quite good in this too. Francis's father believes they are but common folk so Francis should expect to be just that. He believes Francis is striving for something he is not meant to achieve based on what society has labeled their family as. So I think the father really wasn't against his dream, he just didn't want his son to feel any despair if he failed. Of course the story is predictable, but that shouldn't stop you from seeing it. I really liked the character Eddie played by Josh Flitter. He is a funny little kid. The acting is great and so is the directing by actor Bill Paxton. It is a golf film worth seeing.."

• erika b

  
  I am not really into golf films

• Eliza N

  
  True Story....

• Conner R

  
  I'm not a fan of Golf or most sports movies, but somehow this movie really did it for me. The story was well executed and Shia LaBeouf did a great job with his role. It's also a very beautiful looking film, especially for it being kid centric. If only more kid's movies… More
  I'm not a fan of Golf or most sports movies, but somehow this movie really did it for me. The story was well executed and Shia LaBeouf did a great job with his role. It's also a very beautiful looking film, especially for it being kid centric. If only more kid's movies could be like this.

• KJ P

  
  Mesmorizing on many levels! This is one of disney's most mature films!

• Manu G

  
  Super good movie! I thought i gave it a shot and was well payed for! Very good acting and a excellent true life film. I might add that Golf movies are really not my cup of tea even though i love sport movies. Near the turn of the twentieth century, young Harry Vardon becomes a… More
  Super good movie! I thought i gave it a shot and was well payed for! Very good acting and a excellent true life film. I might add that Golf movies are really not my cup of tea even though i love sport movies. Near the turn of the twentieth century, young Harry Vardon becomes a champion golfer but learns that his amazing skill is no match for the class boundaries that exclude him from "gentlemanly" English society. A dozen years later, a young American, Francis Ouimet, fights against the same prejudice, as well as his own father's disdain, for a chance to participate in the U.S. Open against his idol -- Harry Vardon. The struggles of both men for acceptance provides the background for an amazing contest of skills.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>Harry Vardon: "Let me tell you something. I came here to win a trophy. And on the face of it Ted Ray or I should carry it off. Not for you, not for England, but for sheer bloody pride at being the best, *that's* why we do this. And if Mr. Ouimet wins tomorrow,… More
  <i>Harry Vardon: "Let me tell you something. I came here to win a trophy. And on the face of it Ted Ray or I should carry it off. Not for you, not for England, but for sheer bloody pride at being the best, *that's* why we do this. And if Mr. Ouimet wins tomorrow, it's because he's the best, because of who he is. Not who his father was, not how much money he's got, because of who he bloody is! And I'll thank you to remember that. And I'll thank you to show the respect a gentleman gives as a matter of course."</i> The true story of an upset victory that helped change the sport of golf forever provides the basis for this period drama. Francis Ouimet (played by Shia LaBeouf) was born in 1893 to a working-class family in Massachusetts, and grew up fascinated by golf. However, at that time golf was considered a pastime of the wealthy and privileged, and British and Scottish players dominated the professional game. Ouimet's familial home was near the Brookline, MA, Country Club, and over the stern objections of his father, Francis got a job there as a caddy. Honing his skill in his spare time, Francis displayed a tremendous natural talent for the game and an understanding of its strategies, and 1913 he became the first amateur to play in the U.S. Open, held at the Brookline Country Club. Ouimet's presence was considered little more than a novelty at the time; Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane), a British champion with six tournament victories under his belt, was considered a shoo-in to win, with Ted Ray (Stephen Marcus) his only serious competition. However, Vardon, a fellow working-class boy who had overcome tuberculosis to become Britain's premier professional golfer, had more in common with Ouimet than anyone expected, and the tournament unexpectedly became a hard-fought competition between an established star and a promising unknown. Directed by Bill Paxton in his second directorial effort, The Greatest Game Ever Played also stars Elias Koteas as Francis' father, Josh Flitter as the ten-year-old boy who becomes Francis' caddy, and Peyton List as Sarah Wallis, Francis' sweetheart. <b><u>Review</u></b> Bill Paxton has taken the true story of the 1913 US golf open and made a film that is about much more than an extra-ordinary game of golf. The film also deals directly with the class tensions of the early twentieth century and touches upon the profound anti-Catholic prejudices of both the British and American establishments. But at heart the film is about that perennial favourite of triumph against the odds. The acting is exemplary throughout. Stephen Dillane is excellent as usual, but the revelation of the movie is Shia LaBoeuf who delivers a disciplined, dignified and highly sympathetic performance as a working class Franco-Irish kid fighting his way through the prejudices of the New England WASP establishment. For those who are only familiar with his slap-stick performances in "Even Stevens" this demonstration of his maturity is a delightful surprise. And Josh Flitter as the ten year old caddy threatens to steal every scene in which he appears. A old fashioned movie in the best sense of the word: fine acting, clear directing and a great story that grips to the end - the final scene an affectionate nod to Casablanca is just one of the many pleasures that fill a great movie.

• Bruce B

  
  oNE OF THE BEST UNKNOW STORIES i HAVE EVER SEEN. NO TIME IN MY LIFE HAD I EVER HEARD ABOUT THIS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE GOLF TO ENJOY THE STORY. A Must see

• Martin B

  
  Pretty much your typical Disney-ized underdog feel-good sports film. Shia LaBeouf put in another fantastic performance, as did Stephen Dillane, whose role was a pleasant surprise as he was not portrayed as an evil villain, but rather a rival with qualities and issues all his own.… More
  Pretty much your typical Disney-ized underdog feel-good sports film. Shia LaBeouf put in another fantastic performance, as did Stephen Dillane, whose role was a pleasant surprise as he was not portrayed as an evil villain, but rather a rival with qualities and issues all his own. I had a hard time with the visual style, however. There were many, MANY instances of unnecessary CGI, flashy camerawork, and odd angles and shots. I suppose they were trying to "jazz up" what could otherwise be a rather dull spectator sport, but it just seemed pointless and odd.

• Jason S

  
  Really good movie and an excellent cast.

• Nani V

  
  Pretty good for a golf movie. =)

• Michael G

  
  My dad made me see it and I'll tell you what I told him. It's okay. Just okay.

• Dean M

  
  Amazing true story of a young US professional golfer in early 1900s. I love golf movie.

• Rico Z

  
  You'd think a movie about golf would be really boring, right? Well, don't worry-- this isn't Kevin Costner's Tin Cup! It's a Disney movie-- so right off the bat, you have to be into that. It's very uplifting, very positive and has a great score!

• Bradley W

  
  The Greatest Game Ever Played looks and feels like a great sports film, but the underdog has run its course. Don't get me wrong, this was a very enjoyable and enlightening film that really got my attentiok, but I'm just not seeing the genius in a script that we see in so… More
  The Greatest Game Ever Played looks and feels like a great sports film, but the underdog has run its course. Don't get me wrong, this was a very enjoyable and enlightening film that really got my attentiok, but I'm just not seeing the genius in a script that we see in so many other sports films. But what seperates this from other sports films is the sport itself, golf. I play golf once and a while and it was nice to see a sports film that wasn't football or basketball, and it was also nice to see a golf film besides Happy Gilmore. Another thing that makes the film great is the cast, which has given me a lot more respect for Shia Lebeouf. I really like Labeouf in his earlier movies like this and Holes, and its always great to see him play a good and interesting performance that wasn't Transformers or playing Indiana Jones's son. I loved the tone and production of the film, Bill Paxton makes this film look truly magnificent and more interesting than a movie about golf should. But sadly I still can't ignore the fact that it tries way too hard to feel like other underdog sports films. The ending was very touching, but some moments I laughed because it really reminded me of Rudy and pulled a lot of cliches. The Greatest Game Ever Played doesn't feel original, but it does feel beautiful and interesting from start to finish, and has deemed itself worthy of being called a very good and entertaining sports film.

• Jeffrey M

  
  Predictable movies, that with an inevitably uplifting ending and familiar character progressions, can still be good. The Greatest Game Ever Played is one of those films. The premise, that of an underdog underprivileged young man going up against the greatest golfers in the world, has… More
  Predictable movies, that with an inevitably uplifting ending and familiar character progressions, can still be good. The Greatest Game Ever Played is one of those films. The premise, that of an underdog underprivileged young man going up against the greatest golfers in the world, has been done. Like many of said stories, this one is based upon actual events. Unlike many similarly themed films, however, it strikes a resonance beyond the mere fact it's based on a true story, with a really effective execution. The acting is very strong all around, with Shia LaBeouf fitting his role perfectly. He captures resilience, charm, and bottled frustration as well as anyone, and felt very in tune with what the role called for. I liked the interactions he had with the rest of the cast, with Stephen Dillane being especially impressive. Dillane's deadpan intensity gave the film a dramatic weight that it wouldn't have had otherwise. All of the inner-character dynamics felt authentic and well realized. From a script standpoint, the film did an excellent job exploring the different character arcs. It was heavy handed, to be sure, in its main theme critiquing the aristocracy, but this was outweighed by the effective and inventive use of flashbacks. What was especially well done were the parallels between Dillane's early character and LaBeouf, with the film appropriately restraining itself from being too obvious. The film also struck a good balance from a tone standpoint. It worked as a pure drama and an underdog story, while also having a noticeable charm and humor to it. A fun, refreshingly positive, and always entertaining sports conventions fest. 4/5 Stars

• Andrew F

  
  This is a good movie. Shia LaBeouf (Even Stevens) is really great in his role. Bill Paxton (the guy from Twister) directed this movie. He uses SO many new and great camera angles that are extraordinary. His direction is really innovative. This is a nice inspirational sports… More
  This is a good movie. Shia LaBeouf (Even Stevens) is really great in his role. Bill Paxton (the guy from Twister) directed this movie. He uses SO many new and great camera angles that are extraordinary. His direction is really innovative. This is a nice inspirational sports story. I can't believe that it is actually based on a true story. Despite that this movie has the stupidest name ever, it is enjoyable.

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