Movie Review: The Phantom of the Open (2021) on Apple TV or Prime Video 👍
Are superhero sports heroes your thing? Maybe you prefer an everyday anti-hero who rises to the occasion despite his shortcomings to succeed beyond his wildest dreams. That's the story behind The Phantom of the Open. (See the movie trailer below.)
The Phantom of the Open is based on a true story. Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) is a British crane operator about to lose his job to nationalization. When teased about transitioning to his dream job, all he can think of is winning the British Open Championship, although he's never played golf in his life. Still, the alure of living the lavish lifestyle seems dreamy and it becomes his obsession.
Everyone in the family is smitten with his obsession, too. His wife Jean (Academy Award Winner Sally Hawkins) helps him send in the qualification round forms. Step son Michael (Jake Davies), who is part of the management team negotiating nationalizing the company, helps his step dad get the equipment, clothes, and sponsorships befitting his entry. And twin sons Gene (Christian Lees) and James (Jonah Lees) volunteer to be his caddies. Everything feeds his obsession and his self-overconfidence heading into the championship.
Mark Rylance often plays self-deprecating characters and Maurice Flitcroft fits this role perfectly. Although he falsely poses as a professional player it is out of ignorance, and he displays no false sense of acumen. From the first shot to the last, he gives each his best shot. It's not long before everyone around him realizes he's not a golf pro and he hasn't qualified.
But that's not the finish of Maurice's dream. Although he's been banned from the British Open Championship forever and from joining any clubs, he keeps trying, thinking surely with enough practice he will get better. Wearing disguises he re-applies each year to try once again.
Just when he's about to give up, he receives good news from an entirely unexpected place. A golf club in the United States is so inspired by his high score that first year and his perseverance, they offer to pay all expenses for his whole family to visit so they can celebrate him. (I had never heard of this before, but this was in my own backyard! It took me watching this film to find out. What a great suprise!)
The family and community had practically disowned Maurice after his disgraceful performance, but this celebration helped them see Maurice in an entirely new light. The uplifting end and humor in this story make it a great family film with a good message and good feels.
Film trailer from YouTube:
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