Film - Phantom of the Open

This reminded me of the last film, The Duke. It also made me think of other films that have shown up the snobbery in sports, namely King Richard (tennis) and I, Tonya (figure skating).

In Phantom of the Open, Maurice, coming from an area where most people were employed by the shipyards, wanted to do more. A gentle soul, Maurice, who as expected, Mark Rylance inhabits brilliantly, somehow manages to enter the British Open, despite never having played golf. Of course, he is barred from joining any club and cannot practice his chosen sport and his naivety shows up on the big stage.

His chance meeting with Seve Ballesteros (even I’ve heard of him) is a delight as his relationship with his wife (the magnetic Sally Hawkins). I also loved the side story of his dance-obsessed twin boys taking inspiration from their dad and entering disco competitions. Only his straight-laced ambitious older son doesn’t toe the family line of ‘shooting for the stars’ in any way they can.

Based on a true story, Phantom of the Open is a beautiful,  easy watch.

8/10