“The Greatest Game

Ever Played”

Running Time: 1 hr. 55 min.

Rated: PG for mild language

Directed by: Bill Paxton

Starring: Shia LaBeouf,

Stephen Dillane

The greatest game ever played? Maybe. The greatest movie ever made? Definitely not. “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” stars Shia LaBeouf as Francis Ouimet, our heroic, working class golfer. Francis tackles the challenge of defeating the defending British Champion Stephen Dillane (Harry Vardon) in the 1913 U.S. Open.

A miraculous Disney story, this is one for kids and adults looking to bond over the heroics of the poor, working class accomplishing an impractical feat: dethroning the rich and snobby.

Based off an outstanding story, “The Greatest Game Ever Played” is unquestionably targeted at children and golfers around America. The heart-warming story starts in a poor area of Massachusetts where our young boy Francis gets his hands on golf clubs and attempts the “new” sport.

His hardworking, disciplined father, Elias Koteas, disapproves of Francis’s involvement with the sports and encourages his son to stick to his “trade” and to remain exiled from the game “meant for gentlemen.”

So what do kids do to disobey their parents and express their freedom? Be sneaky. Francis manages to land a job as a caddy at the local golf club, where he also learns the game and teaches himself to play.

After weeks of hard work and comprehensive studying, Francis manages to develop a knack for golf and his ability begins increasing exponentially.

Francis’s idol, British champion Harry Vardon, overcame the same onerous difficulties as Francis: a disapproving father and a poor family.

Unfortunately, Harry has socially advanced and somewhat forgotten his past. He is now the “King of Kings” in golf. Francis is determined to follow his idol’s path in life, without allowing fame to “corrupt” his original morals and values.

We are also introduced to Peyton List (Sarah Willis), Francis’s love interest (Oh, Disney, always in need of appealing to the teens with your love stories). As for comic relief, we meet ten-year old pipsqueak caddie Joshua Flitter (Eddie Lowery), who has no trouble winning the affection and giggles of the audience.

If you love a story about trying to achieve the impossible, head out and see “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”