We’ve all embarrassingly hacked our way around a golf course at some point in our lives (or is that just me?) but Barrow-In-Furness native Maurice Flitcroft made a name for himself in 1976 by doing it on the grandest stage of them all, the British open.
Now writer Simon Farnaby who co-authored a book on the subject in 2010 brings the story to the big screen. Directed by Craig Roberts and starring Oscar winner Mark Rylance in the lead role, the film charts Maurice’s journey from shipyard worker to overnight sensation, after having never played golf before, he gains entry to the Open via an administrational error and goes on to shoot the worst round the tournament has ever seen. Farnaby, who also co-wrote the wonderful Paddington 2, harnesses the obvious humour in the story, but never lets things descend into ridicule. Instead the film becomes an inspiring tale of class divide and persistence in the face of overwhelming odds. Banned from every club in the country, Maurice engages in a farcical game of cat and mouse with the snooty establishment, spending his spare time practising in local parks and continuing to enter the tournament every year under a selection of fake names and elaborate disguises. There is some debate whether the real life Flitcroft was an innocent dreamer or more self aware hoaxer, but the film decides to go with the former and Rylance pulls off Maurice’s sparkly eyed enthusiasm with absolute aplomb, delivering a completely charming performance. The films driving force is the endearing relationship between Maurice and his family. The ever dependable Sally Hawkins takes on the role of his loving wife Jean, clueless to what exactly her husband is getting involved in, but still wholeheartedly supportive. Innocently writing ‘A touch of arthritis’ in the handicap field whilst helping him complete his application form for the Open. Jean’s eldest son Michael (Jake Davies) a senior manager at the ship yard where Maurice works as a crane operator, resents his step-fathers cavalier attitude and wishes for a more grounded family, whilst his twin brothers James and Gene (Christian and Jonah Lees) follow their Dads advice to chase their dreams of becoming disco dancing world champions. The pair even bust out some moves on the green whilst acting as their dads caddy. Completing the strong British cast is Rhys Ifans who embraces the role of hissable villain Keith Mackenzie, pompous secretary of the R&A and the man responsible for Maurice’s life time ban, which he gleefully ignored.
An effortlessly funny British film with real emotional stakes, The Phantom of the Open is a genuinely heart warming tale of following your dreams, however outlandish they might be.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
@Grittster
22/03/22