The Greatest Game Ever Played2005
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Despite all the underdog sports movie conventions, the likable cast and lush production values make The Greatest Game Ever Played a solid and uplifting tale.
The Greatest Game Ever Played Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Francis Ouimet
as Harry Vardon
as Arthur Ouimet
as Eddie Lowery
as Sarah Wallis
as Mary Ouimet
as Ted Ray
as Young Harry Vardon
as Black Top-Hatted Man
as Black Top-Hatted Man
as Black Top-Hatted Man
as Black Top-Hatted Man
as Embry Wallis
as Young Francis Ouimet
as Alec Campbell
as Young Sarah Wallace
as Young Louise Ouimet
as Young Raymond Ouimet
as Bernard Darwin
as Lord Northcliffe
as Lord Bullock
as Ted Hastings
as Club Secretary
as Stedman Comstock
as Phillip Wainwright
as Phillip Wainwright
as Freddie Wallis
as Mrs. Wallis
as Billy
as Wilfred Reid
as Pub Pianist
as Frank Hoyt
as Walter Gibbs
as Baritone
as Walter Gibbs (as Timothy W. Peper)
as Soprano
as Baritone
as Robert Watson
as Assistant Pro
as John McDermott
as Northcliffe's Valet
as Jack Lowery
as Wallis's Butler
as Vardon's Caddy Tommy
as Ted's Caddy
as Comstock's Assistant
as Comstock's Assistant
as President Taft
as McDermott's Caddy
as Reid's Escort
as Reid's Escort
as Reid's Escort
as Raymond Ouimet
as Louise Ouimet
as Wallis' Chauffeur
as Office Worker
as Gallery Member
as Irish Crew Boss
as Girlfriend
as Vardon's Assistant
as Runner
as Bartender
as Gallery Member
as Copy Boy
as Copy Boy
as Passerby
as Reporter
as Reporter
News & Interviews for The Greatest Game Ever Played
Critic Reviews for The Greatest Game Ever Played
All Critics (111) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (70) | Rotten (41) | DVD (12)
Ouimet versus Vardon probably was the greatest golf game ever played, and Paxton and Frost do it justice, but I wouldn't sit through another simulated hole of it for Tiger Woods's salary.
I know it's all about how well they construct the journey, but I just kind of felt like, okay, we know exactly what's going to happen here.
[An] overloaded movie.
As sports movies go, it doesn't get more exciting than this.
A sweet-natured, prettily photographed and at times genuinely exciting drama, bogged down by some thinly written characters and syrupy music.
The film will have to settle for a bogey rather than a par.
Audience Reviews for The Greatest Game Ever Played
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.
Super Reviewer
Good film! Shia LeBeouf was good, and Stephen Dillane was perfectly cast.
Super Reviewer
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.
Super Reviewer
The Greatest Game Ever Played Quotes
| Harry Vardon: | How'd you sleep? |
| Ted Ray: | Like a baby. Woke up every two hours and cried. |
| Eddie Lowery: | Let it roll and it'll seek the hole. |
| Eddie Lowery: | You gotta settle down now Francis. |
| Francis Ouimet: | Yeah? And how we gonna do that? |
| Eddie Lowery: | You're just gonna have to play better... Keep your head down. |
| Freddie Wallis: | easy peazy lemon squeezy |
| Freddie Wallis: | Easy peasy lemon squeezy. |
| Eddie Lowery: | Easy peasy lemon squeezy. |