Movie Review The Greatest Game Ever Played

The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005) 

Directed by Bill Paxton

Written by Mark First

Starring Shia LeBeouf, Stephen Dillane, Elias Koteas, Peter Firth

Release Date September 30th, 2005

Published September 28th, 2005

Mark Frost co-created with David Lynch the head trippy TV show Twin Peaks. He co-wrote one of this year's biggest blockbusters, Fantastic Four, and years ago directed the lovely but forgettable romance Storyville. Who knew that all along he harbored the ambitions of a golf historian. Coming across the story of Francis Ouimet some years ago, Frost became obsessed with telling his story.

Ouimet, an amateur golfer and part time caddy, won the 1913 United States Golf Open in Brookline, Massachusetts by defeating arguably the greatest golfer of that era, British Champion Harry Vardon. It's a dramatic story well captured in Mark Frost's 2003 book "The Greatest Game Ever Played".

Given Frost's Hollywood experience the book has a natural cinematic quality to it. The story simply screamed for adaptation. Unfortunately, Frost's idea for a 12 part mini-series on HBO was shot down. Now in a far more truncated version, The Greatest Game Ever Played is an overlong Disney sports movie that nails every cliché of the genre while neglecting much of the detail that made the book special.

Directed by actor Bill Paxton, The Greatest Game Ever Played stars Shia Labeouf as Francis Ouimet, a poor kid living across the street from the prestigious Brookline Country Club where he found work as a caddy. Fascinated as a child by a chance meeting with the British champion Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane), Francis developed his game in every free minute he had.

Francis's hard bitten father, Arthur (Elias Koteas, with an awful French accent), vehemently opposes Francis playing the game, either because it's above the family's means and social status, or because the plot seems to require his opposition to build tension.  Either way, neither reason is very compelling. Francis remains determined and with the support of his mother (Marnie McPhail) accepts a chance to play in the US Open at Brookline. His job is to show up and provide some local color opposite the out of town pros but Francis shows his mettle and really competes.

The film is not only Francis' story but also that of Harry Vardon, who, as a child, watched his home in Scotland demolished and a golf course put in its place. Determined to earn his way onto that course, Vardon developed into the greatest player Britain had ever seen, winning the British Open championship several times and the US Open once as well. With an eye to finally being allowed to join the club that replaced his home, Harry accepts an offer from the snooty Lord Northcliffe (Peter Firth) to go to the US and bring home the US Championship to England.

The film's subject may be golf but much of the story focuses on class and social status. Both Francis and Harry struggled with being poor kids in a rich man's world. Using their golfing abilities, both manage to find entry into the halls of power only to encounter even more resistance. No matter how many open championships Harry Vardon won, the best he could ever do was an honorary membership at his home country club.

For Francis, the issues of class came from both the men in power at the country club and the man in power of his home. His father was a strong, proud but very bitter man. Whether he envied his son's opportunity to dine with the upper crust or his need to protect his son from the inevitable disappointment of when that upper crust would reject him, his father never supports his playing, although smart audiences won't be surprised if father and son share a touching moment late in the picture.

Bill Paxton directs The Greatest Game Ever Played and makes it quite clear how much he loves the game. Long languorous shots of the tightly cropped grass, loving shots of clubs being handcrafted and endless scenes of straight ahead competition recreated from the 1913 US Open. However within these scenes is the not so subtle hint that golf is far more interesting to the player than to the audience.

Paxton and special effects director Louis Craig dress up much of the actual golfing scenes with flashy special effects that fade out the crowd around either Francis or Harry as they line up their shots and then take the ball's perspective as it flies down the fairway. The effects shots in Greatest Game likely cost more than most of the rest of the film and are entirely anachronistic to the quiet and observational atmosphere of the game, especially when considered against the film's genteel and respectable period setting.

The performances of the film's two leads, Shia LeBeouf and Steven Dillane do little to help the film over the rough spots of the poor special effects and cliched story. LeBeouf is a credible golfer but his performance is lighter here than it was in the truly lighthearted family flick Holes. As for Dillane, he's no stranger to period pieces having played the husband of Virginia Woolf in The Hours. In Greatest Game Dillane is greatly undone by the outright bizarre script that has Harry Vardon envisioning ghosts on the golf course as he struggles to sink putts and keep it in the fairway.

Neither actor is helped by the fact that they are both blown off the screen by the cute kid performance of Josh Flitter. As Francis's  eight year-old caddie, Eddie Lowery, Flitter is a real scene stealer. Eddie Lowery could likely be the subject of his own book or movie someday.  After caddying for Francis, Lowery went on to become a terrific golfer in his own right and a conqueror of the business world becoming a multi-millionaire.

If golf does not grab you, not much else of The Greatest Game Ever Played is likely to grab you either. Whether it is the tortured family dynamics of the Ouimet's or Harry Vardon's oddball obsession with the golf course planners who knocked down his childhood home that show up occasionally as ghosts when Harry struggles on the course, or the oddball performance of Peter Firth as the literally mustache twirling villain, The Greatest Game Ever Played has little that will appeal to the discerning moviegoer.

Disney has taken a very engaging sports book full of unique detail and stirring description and crossed it with the same sports movie formula that has made The Rookie, Remember The Titans, and Coach Carter uplifting sports flotsam. However where those films had sports that are naturally entertaining to a wide audience, golf remains on the margins of sports with audience appeal. Golf fans are highly specific and a film such as this that condescends to dressing up their favored sport with goofy effects is not likely to draw them in.

Then if that were not enough the film throws in a dull romantic subplot with Francis and a girl out of his social strata. The very lovely Peyton List plays Sara Willis, a daughter of one of the club members, who has a chance encounter with Francis as a small child and retains the attraction as the two become teenagers. The film attempts to mine tension from their Romeo and Juliet-esque class warfare but it's nothing that has not been portrayed before in far better films.

At just over two hours The Greatest Game Ever Played is torturously long. From the direction to the writing to the lightweight performances of both Shia LeBeouf and Steven Dillane, the film is as lifeless as a Sunday afternoon in front of a TV screen watching any golf tournament that does not feature the charismatic presence of the sport's greatest attraction, Tiger Woods.

Now throw some Tiger into The Greatest Game Ever Played and maybe you've got something. As it is, the 1913 United States Open may have been the greatest game ever played but it's one of least entertaining films of 2005.

Movie Review: The Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four (2005) 

Directed by Tim Story 

Written by Michael France, Mark Frost 

Starring Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Ioan Gruffaud, Julian McMahon, Kerry Washington

Release Date July 8th, 2005 

Published July 7th, 2005 

What is it that those testosterone freaks from the gym say? Come hard or don't come at all? As overly aggressive as that sounds it's about setting a standard. When a film sub-genre features films as amazing as the two Spiderman movies, the original and new Batman flick and three X-Men movies any film that follows in that genre had, as they say, better come hard or not at all.

In the case of The Fantastic Four the 'not at all' would have been a better choice. Compared to it's superhero brethren Fantastic Four is an outright disaster. On it's own terms it has appeal to small children and the very, very forgiving amongst us. Unfortunately, I'm not all that forgiving.

Comic fans have been familiar with the powers of the Fantastic Four for nearly forty years. For the uninitiated, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffaud) aka Mr. Fantastic, has the ability to stretch any part of his body. Sue Storm, (Jessica Alba) aka Invisible Girl, as her name implies, can become invisible. Sue's brother Johnny Storm, (Chris Evans) aka The Human Torch, can turn his entire body to flames and finally Ben Grimm, (Michael Chiklis) AKA The Thing, who's whole body is made of unbreakable rock.

The movie tells the origin story of the Fantastic Four as well as their arch nemesis Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon). On a space mission to investigate a mysterious energy field the Fantastic Four and the benefactor of the mission, Victor, are struck by this unique energy field and transformed into their fantastic forms.

Johnny Storm loves his new abilities; taking full advantage of his flammability to make a splash with the media. It is Johnny who gives the team nicknames and dubs them The Fantastic Four. Ben Grimm on the other hand cannot stand his rock formations which cost him his marriage and makes him the target of derision and eventually the police. Reed and Sue take a more scientific perspective as they seek ways to cure the mutations.

Victor Von Doom was also transformed and similar to Ben's rock; Victor is slowly turning to steel. At first he reacts like anyone would; using his billions of dollar to find a cure, but, then a case of movie evil sets in and Victor decides to be a world conquering super villain. When Victor uses his new steel form to control electricity and commit crimes only our fantastic heroes can stop him.

Director Tim Story and screenwriters Mark Frost, Michael France and Simon Kinberg remain mostly faithful to Stan Lee's origin story. In fact Tim Story even incorporates some of legendary comic artist Jack Kirby's visuals, such as a scene in which Ben Grimm stops a semi truck in it's tracks. The scene is shot from behind Ben with the truck coming straight for him and mimics a story board from the very first Fantastic Four comic.

The script also remains faithful to the family dynamic that Stan Lee established in the comics. Reed Richards with his graying temples and maturity is a natural father figure. Sue Storm is more of a de-facto mother character, she seems to young for the role but her romance with Reed makes it necessary. And of course Johnny and Ben with their childish rivalry are perfect bickering brothers. Lee mined this dynamic for humor not often found in the super hero genre.

The film however fails in it's few attempts at similar humor. The romance between Gruffaud and Alba is clumsy and fumbled and the rivalry between Johnny and Ben works only to make both seem oafish and imbecilic. Not helping matters is that each of the actors seems to be playing different beats. Gruffaud is impassive even when given a punch line while Alba just seems embarrassed. Michael Chiklis is playing a serious dramatic vibe which is at odds with the mildly ludicrous tone set by director Tim Story.

Something in Tim Story's direction amps up the comics least appealing aspects. The family humor of the comics was occasionally hokey as is much of the premise of the Fantastic Four. We accept it because of Lee's ability to make us care about these characters and Jack Kirby's exceptional drawings. Brought to physical life; the contrived nature of the comic is exposed by actors who seem unable to grasp the concept of their characters. The acting is far too serious and stern and thus remains humorless, that is except for Chris Evans as Johnny Storm.

Evans seems to be the only cast member having a good time with this material. He captures the goofy spirit and headstrong vitality of Johnny Storm. If the other actors had played a similar vibe Fantastic Four would be a whole lot more enjoyable.

Then there is Julian McMahon who chews the scenery like Jeremy Irons on a bender. To say that McMahon is over the top would be a grand understatement. McMahon plays Victor Von Doom like a silent film era villain, all grand impressive gesticulations and over pronounciations. He needs only a mustache to twirl to make this character a perfect parody.

A quick aside, did anyone else keep flashing back to Mallrats and wondering, like Brody, about whether Reed Richards could stretch his 'entire' body or if the Thing... well you know. It's horribly wrong, but one of the pleasures of a subpar movie is the invoked memories of far superior films. I will take the puerile Mallrats over the over amplified Fantastic Four any day.

I cannot deny that there is one really eye catching series of action scenes in Fantastic Four. The scenes set on the Brooklyn bridge where each of the Fantastic Four demonstrate their super powers for the first time, is a pretty terrific set of actions. Quickly edited, tautly paced, and well executed with CGI effects, these scenes demonstrate the unrealized potential of Fantastic Four.

One great series of scenes, however, are not nearly enough to rescue such a mess of a movie. Director Tim Story, who did a terrific job with the much smaller Barbershop; seems completely overwhelmed by the scope and scale of the Fantastic Four. With all the money and CGI he could ever need, Story fell into the trap of forgetting that his actors and his story need direction as much as his effects.

Fantastic Four demonstrates an opinion of mine that it takes a great director to bring the fantastic elements of a super hero movie to life. Sam Raimi and Spiderman, Bryan Singer and X-Men, Tim Burton and now Christopher Nolan with Batman. Tim Story is a good director but as Fantastic Four demonstrates he is not a great director.

Movie Review: Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer

Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) 

Directed by Tim Story 

Written by Don Payne, Mark Frost

Starring Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Ioan Gruffaud, Kerry Washington, Julian McMahon, Andre Braugher, Laurence Fishburne 

Release Date June 15th, 2007 

Published June 14th, 2007 

What is so disappointing about The Fantastic Four and the sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer is that director Tim Story shows a great talent for big time action scenes. The first film had a pair of impressive action and effects scenes that showed the potential of the series. Rise of the Silver Surfer builds on that with bigger and better effects, especially the stunningly rendered CG Surfer.

The big effects and big action act as unintentional commentary on the non-action, non-effects scenes. As great as the action is, the acting, dialogue and storytelling of Rise of the Silver Surfer are sloppy, slipshod and at times embarrassing.

As we rejoin the story of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffaud) AKA, Mr. Fantastic is about to wed Sue Storm (Jessica Alba) aka The Invisible Woman. Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis) aka The Thing, is Reed's best man and Johnny Storm (Chris Evans) aka The Human Torch is walking his sister down the aisle. Well that was the plan but as the media circus swirls about; a bigger threat has hit the earth.

A silver alien on a surf board is disturbing the environment of the entire planet, creating giant holes all over world. Reed quickly discovers that this is not the first time the Silver Surfer has attacked a planet, his arrival has lead to the end of a planet within 8 days. With the Silver Surfer comes the arrival of a planet eating entity called Galactus.

To stop the Surfer and Galactus the Fantastic Four will have to team with their enemy, a fully recovered Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) who was the first to make face to face contact with the Surfer. Naturally, Victor has designs on the Surfer's planet destroying powers.

In Rise of the Silver Surfer director Tim Story delivers pretty much the same results he delivered with the first Fantastic Four movie, big action and effects with ill-conceived character bits and shockingly dull witted dialogue. It's an odd result considering that Story came to the Fantastic franchise after directing the smart, funny, character driven comedy Barbershop.

The results become even more curious when you see the script credited to Mark Frost; the same Mark Frost who teamed with David Lynch to create the complicated, layered and slighly loopy Twin Peaks. The talented director and writer seem to never be on the same page in Rise of the Silver Surfer. Frost's twisted approach to the characters combines a fifties style earnest heroism with an attempt at being hip and modern and it fails rather miserably.

As for Tim Story, he directs as if unconcerned about the characters and their awkward, embarrassing moments. Story's sole concern is the action and effects and his attention to detail is really impressive on that front. The effects and action are as impressive as anything in Spiderman 3 or Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. The blockbuster comparisons end their however because where those blockbusters are as character driven as they are effects driven, Rise of the Silver Surfer is an effects only enterprise.

The Silver Surfer, voice of Laurence Fishburne, is a tremendously successful special effect. The CG creation is seamlessly integrated with the human cast to the point where the Surfer suffers as much as the real actors, this awful, awful script. Yes, the Silver Surfer is a bit of a letdown when he speaks, with his windy ethereal voice and vaguely menacing pronouncements. Still, as a special effect, as an example of how the world of CG technology has progressed; the Silver Surfer is among the most impressive things you will see at the movies this year.

As for the human cast of Fantastic Four, the same issues that plagued the first film continue to plague this film. Jessica Alba remains super hot but still miscast as the too young Sue Storm. Ioan Gruffaud continues to be a charisma free leading man noticeably uncomfortable as a comic book superhero. And Michael Chiklis; though he is physically perfect for the role of The Thing, his comic moments are as awkward as the punchlines he's supposed to deliver.

The only one who seems perfectly cast and comfortable with even the goofiest dialogue and most embarrassing attempts at humor and earnestness is Chris Evans. Achieving just the right mix of cheeseball self awareness and cocky attitude, Evans' Johnny Storm is the one character who makes something of this regrettable mess. It helps that Johnny is the only one of the four whose subplot has some juice.

When Johnny confronts the Surfer for the first time he has his molecules scramble to the point where if he touches one of the other Fantastics he switches powers with them. His impulsive nature and desperate need to get his power back leads to more trouble in conflicts against the Silver Surfer but, of course, when the time comes he gets to prove himself. In a terrific showdown with Victor Von Doom, Evans's Human Torch gets the biggest and best action moment of the movie.

The less said about Julian McMahon's fey Victor Von Doom the better. McMahon's performance is by far the most embarrassing of anyone.

The fact is that after a somewhat disappointing domestic launch for the original Fantastic Four many thought the series was through. Somehow the film managed to find a large international audience and the pot of gold proved to be enough to overcome the creative bankruptcy. How unfortunate that the creative bankruptcy continues and engulfs another potential franchise in Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Now, not one but two legendary Marvel comics are wrapped up in one mediocre movie franchise.