User reviews

An extraordinary film, about a quite extraordinary bloke, who lived out his dreams, through countless excessive golf strokes, teed it up from the off, hole in one all the way, bunkered blinkered traditions, hats off, and fair play.

The sensational sports-comedy drama tells the true remarkable tale that you will struggle to believe. With plenty of heart, and a lot of laughs, The Phantom of the Open is a story worth knowing.

Amateur golfer Maurice Flitcroft achieves his late-in-life goal of participating in the British Open Golf Championship, much to the ire of the staid golfing community.

Mark Rylance seemingly twists the image of the stern and serious Maurice Flitcroft to cleverly compliment the comedic effect. The Oscar-winning actor offers an innocent portrayal of the man who we as the audience sympathise with. This champions Flitcroft's journey, similar to Hawkins' loveble appreciation for her husband as Jean (Flitcroft). The transition from chain-smoking ship yard crane-operator to self-professed professional golfer is one that will have you scratching your eyeballs, however, is key in delivering a moral message to chase your dreams no matter what; one which Flitcroft encouraged with his two sons - whom provide excellent entertainment value with their breakdancing successes and their attempts at caddying.

The light-hearted nature of Rylance's Flitcroft softens the drama of the spectacle, altercations within the family sphere are resolved through understanding and compassion. The screenplay, written by Simon Farnaby who also stars, does the trip from Barrow to the British Open justice; the script is hilarious, though ensures to be thorough in its telling, a neat cyclical structure beginning and ending and ending a humerus BBC interview.

Maurice Gerald Flitcroft died in 2007 at the age of 77. A moment featuring a young Tiger Woods at the Flitcroft-inspired new golf tournament in Michigan celebrating the less-skilled golfing enthusiasts epitomised the legacy that Maurice had left. That legacy lives on.

Whilst the narrative is nothing new, The Phantom of the Open is still a truly delightful comedy drama that's extremely heartwarming, really funny and genuinely emotional.

Mark Rylance gives a terrific lead performance, super likeable and adorably naive. Sally Hawkins is reliably perfect as his wife who's equally likeable and the heart of the film, also having strong chemistry with Rylance.

Craig Roberts' direction is excellent, full of quirky and fantastical moments that fit the film really well. Both the soundtrack and the music by Isobel Waller-Bridge are both as joyful and fun as the film requires.

Maurice Flitcroft is a crane operator at a shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, England. After never having played a round of golf in his life and with an estimation of his golf abilities that far exceeded them, he applies to play in the 1976 British Open. To his surprise, his application is accepted. In the opening round he shoots 121, the highest round of golf at a major tournament. This is his (largely true) story.

Several years ago I heard of Maurice Flitcroft and his golf notoriety. As someone who likes playing golf but isn't much good at it, his story appealed to me. The fact that this was also an up yours to sports administrators and put their noses out of joint also appealed to me and I have a dim regard for sports administrators. So, imagine my delight when I discovered that a movie had been made out of his story.

The golf side of the story is as entertaining as you'd imagine. What's more, he didn't just play at the 1976 British Open but managed to get in a few more times after that! This just makes it even more engaging.

I was expecting the non-golf stuff to be a bit dull and more there to pad out the time but it's actually quite interesting and engaging too. There's a good feel for the family dynamic and how Flitcroft's naïve optimism rubs off on his children. Makes for some heart-warming scenes, especially towards the end.

On that note, Mark Rylance is great as Flitcroft, imbuing him with a great sense of innocence and positivity, a man who believes that anything is possible and that you don't know until you try. His demonstrations of his massively inflated view of his own golf abilities are quite funny and something to behold.

This sense of innocence and of an average guy just having a go makes Flitcroft very supportable and very relatable.

Neither a bogey nor a birdie, this sports biopic just about makes par thanks to its breezy screenplay and likeable performances. 'The Phantom Of The Open (2022)' is what you'd expect from a feel-good flick of its kind. It tells the tale of a crane worker who, when facing possible redundancy, decides to take up golf by jumping in the deep end and entering the British Open as a 'professional'. The picture's bread and butter is its 'follow your dreams' and 'practice is the road to perfection' messaging, as it hammers home both of these themes at every opportunity. It's a little overbearing at times, especially during the forced 'all is lost' moment as the piece approaches its final act, but it works well enough for what it is. Some of the character conflict feels a little false, but it builds to a schmalzy ending designed to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Although the feature isn't as funny as some people have claimed it to be, it's an affable tale that provokes more than a few smiles. It's unremarkable, but not necessary in a bad way. It's essentially everything it needs to be. Even though it doesn't exceed expectations, it's entertaining enough for what it is. It's a good effort overall.

Crane driver Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance), decides to follow his dream of playing golf at the British Open, which he achieves, hitting the highest score ever. Opinion on him is divided between the rather pompous golf community represented by a bespectacled Rhys Ifans and those that admire his spirit, in this unlikely true story.

This is a very sweet, almost Ealingesque comedy combining the fun on the golf course with the drama of the problems his and his family's dreams cause. Rylance is fun albeit quite twee, with Sally Hawkins providing solid support. It all builds to a charming climax before real footage of the real Flitcroft shows how much this is all apparently spot in.

I never write reviews.... So I'll keep it brief:

Funny - tick Heartwarming - tick Fantastic Story - tick Wonderful Performances - tick

Go and watch it, it really is a great film.

A comedic dramatization that takes liberties with the real story. Still glad I watched it since it made me search out the real story. Go see it anyways.

This film gets a full UK release on March 18th. And let me tell you, you should really put a note - "Go to Cinema" - in your diary right now! What a wonderful feelgood film this really is.

Positives:

• What a treat March has delivered in terms of quirky feelgood British comedies! There are marked similarities between this movie and "The Duke" released a few weeks ago. 1) Both are based on totally bonkers true stories; 2) Both feature totally lovable and charismatic actors. Broadbent was kindly and twinkly in "The Duke". Here Mark Rylance sends the twinkleometer right off the chart! He's proved that he can do brilliant dead-pan comedy in "Don't Look Up". But after this one there is nothing much left in the world's charisma bank. 3) Both have stonking performances from the lady playing "'er indoors". The roles of Helen Mirren and Sally Hawkins are similar but differently performed. And both are tone perfect. You can feel the utter love between Mr and Mrs Flitcroft: soulmates for life.

• The script is by Simon Farnaby, who I know best as an actor (he pops up in a cameo as a pro golfer in the movie). But he also has a range of great film scripts in his CV, most notably the beloved "Paddington 2". This shares some of the quirky humour of that movie, while also leaning on the fantasy elements of films like "Moulin Rouge" and (particularly) "Eddie the Eagle". It works brilliantly. The British love a trier, especially a trier who is a complete loser. I found parallels between Maurice's battle against the snooty Open Championship officials, here led by Keith Mackenzie (Rhys Ifans), and Eddie's battle against the Olympic snob Dustin Target, played by Tim McInnerny.

• The score by the wonderful Isobel Waller-Bridge fits just perfectly and is an utter delight. I hope the soundtrack gets released.

Negatives:

• Man.... a proper critic should surely come up with something here! But I really found nothing not to love about this movie. I can't wait to watch it again.

Summary Thoughts on "The Phantom of the Open": Anyone who follows my One Mann's Movies blog will know that I don't chuck out 5* ratings willy-nilly. But I really think that this one might build to the lofty status of "feelgood British classic" with relative ease, joining the likes of "Four Weddings and a Funeral"; "Notting Hill" and "Paddington 2" as a movie you can reach for when life is getting you down and you need a morale boost.

With all the terrible footage from Ukraine continuing to flood our news, I'd strongly suggest you take advantage of 100 minutes of mental relief when this one opens on March 18th.

(For the full graphical review, please check out One Mann's Movies on the web or Facebook. Thanks).

What makes this film is that it really happened! It's the little man takes on ??? The sort of thing that gets written about a lot but is usally makebelieve .... however this time it's not, it's real.

Quality acting, no CGI to speak of, just a great cast telling a great story.

When you're done of cartoon's, smash bash Americian box office super screen, mega box office stuff, then this is the film for you.

Such a charming film which I thoroughly enjoyed. The plot is so unbelievable and light-hearted it's amazing it's a true story. It's a wonderful message of following your dreams and the barriers that follow and family.

You really feel so connected to Morris and want him to succeed and follow the path he's carved out for himself. Rylance plays the role perfectly as his aloof and lovable character really shine across the film. The visual effects in some existential scenes was a really nice artistic choice and helps to hit home the passion Morris carries.

The comedy in this film never falls flat and I laughed out loud numerous times but this film also tugs on your heart strings as Morris' family life collides with his dream.

It's definitely worth a watch I know you will enjoy it.

No blockbuster. Just a charming little film as harmless and daft as Maurice Flitcroft was himself. What a shame it wasn't made in his lifetime. I use daft in a fond way. The comedy isn't laugh out loud just silly with an innocence of times gone by. Loved the 1970s feel, especially the disco dancing by the twins. One doesn't need to know anything about golf to enjoy this film. Perhaps it's an advantage not to know anything? I liked the text and photos at the end of the film, one appreciates knowing what happened to real life characters depicted in films. This was so incredible though I must admit to googling to see which bits were true.

While the real story of Maurice Flitcroft is quite interesting, this movie version is overall disappointing. The main character, Mr Flitcroft, is portrayed as a likeable simpleton who, despite growing up in Britain, is oblivious to the fact that the British Open golf championship is played by the world's very best golfers. To suspend belief and think that the movie version of Maurice Flitcroft, having never played a round of golf in his life, actually believes that he can win the tournament is just plain ridiculous. The real Maurice Flitcroft managed to enter the tournament because he was a bit of a scoundrel, a scallywag and a trouble maker seeking 'fame and fortune'. The movie version was actually seeking the 10,000 pound prize money as he was likely to be retrenched from his job as a crane operator.

What would have been more interesting would have been to explore exactly how the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (who run the British Open) managed to allow Flitcroft to enter the qualifying rounds as a complete unknown and how he was able to complete 18 holes and score 121 without anyone alerting the authorities. Even better would have been an attempt to try to delve into why the real Maurice Flitcroft was so determined to seek fame and fortune in a sport he had no experience at, but this was passed up.

As a side note, a real missed opportunity in the film was when the authorities became aware that Flitcroft had scored 63 (for his opening nine holes). When informed of this, the official in charge should have said, "63? That's excellent!" and then should have been informed that it was only for the front nine. The makers of the movie didn't seem to understand this.

Overall, the film is a disappointment, making Flitcroft out to be a loveable idiot whose heart is in the right place instead of a more interesting character with a strange desire for attention and infamy. Someone the film makers chose to ignore for the sake of a few cheap laughs. A pity.

Greetings again from the darkness. Scott Farnaby co-wrote the book with Scott Murray and then adapted that book into the screenplay directed here by Craig Roberts (ETERNAL BEAUTY, 2019). Mr. Farnaby also wrote the excellent screenplay for PADDINGTON 2 (2017), as well as for the upcoming Disney version of PINOCCHIO. Director Roberts is also known for his acting, taking the lead in the underrated SUBMARINE (2010).

We are informed that this is based on the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, a name you likely don't recognize. Flitcroft (played here by Oscar winner Mark Rylance, BRIDGE OF SPIES) is known for posting the highest score in history at the 1976 British Open. He shot 121. It was the first round of golf he ever played. Now if you wonder how that could happen, the filmmakers are happy to explain. We meet Flitcroft as an unassuming crane operator at the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, a workplace he describes as "going in on your feet, and out in a box." This is also where he meets and subsequently marries an unassuming secretary, and single mom, named Jean (played by the always great Sally Hawkins). The two marry and have twin sons to join Jean's son, Michael.

There is really no need to dig in deep here as it's a light-hearted, dry comedy based on an accidental celebrity who gained folk hero status over pursuing his dream ... in a clueless and talentless manner. The big question remains: was Flitcroft a naïve man whose dream was inspired by watching a few holes of golf on TV, or was he a sly huckster who took a bit of enjoyment in sticking it to the system? Rylance gives the least subtle performance of his career as he dons a bucket hat and some protruding false teeth to create an exaggerated overbite that is as much of his character as the quirky facial expressions and down-to-earth philosophy he spews: "Practice is the road to perfection." Christian Lees and Jonah Lees appear as Maurice's and Jean's disco-dancing twins (and sometimes caddy), while Jake Davis stars as Michael, their more career-minded son. It's an under-utilized Rhys Ifans who takes on the main villain role as the director of the British Open, and the man responsible for exposing and banning Flitcroft. Ash Tandon plays Lloyd Donovan, the journalist who sniffs out the Flitcroft story and actually follows through (like journalists once did) ... even ten years later when the Flitcroft family is invited to the U. S. for the annual Maurice Flitcroft tournament, where the high score wins.

Isobel Waller-Bridge (EMMA., big sister to Phoebe of "Fleabag" fame) composed the score, and we do get archival footage of Maurice and family over the end credits. Perhaps EDDIE THE EAGLE (2015) is the best comparison for this film, as Flitcroft bore the label, "the worst golfer in the world" ... something he vehemently denied. Maurice did manage to inspire others to follow their dreams, and his six sugars in tea may correspond to the level of saccharine the movie develops as it strives to be this year's feel-good story - and we all know we need one.

Opens in theaters on June 17, 2022.

Some dare to dream of sinking a 10-foot putt to win a golf tournament, but those who do usually know what golf is and have played it some. The Phantom of the Open, based on a biography of Maurice Flitcroft, suggests our hero had some fanciful dreams of starry nights and moons of golf balls, a post-midlife crisis solution to ennui and a child-like need for attention.

The movie would be far too saccharine, far too maudlin, and far too sappy without Sally Hawkins and Mark Rylance in the leads. Rylance putts around like a doting, loving, naïve family man who is being downsized or creeping towards obsolescence. A little research into Flitcroft, however, suggests a far less foolish person, someone much more self-aware, more cunning, more fabulist at heart, as if Papillion fancied himself a duffer. Hawkins fills a role that needs to accomplish little more than keep the sentimental sugar cubes from completely dissolving into this 100 minutes of sweet tea.

Lesser actors would have glazed this honey ham to the point of being candied, too rich for a stage play but too banal for a Lifetime movie. One can aspire to greatness and beyond, and the great can inspire others to emulate or follow. The rest of us must live somewhere in that bog of mundanity as the mediocrities of the world.

Just a wonderful film, beautiful performances, brilliant direction, will make you laugh and cry. Mark Rylance is so believable and empathetic and Sally Hawkins is lovely as his wife, great turns from the rest of the cast too.

The Phantom of the Open is a very enjoyable and uplifting watch.

It boasts a great performance from Mark Rylance as Maurice Flitcroft, a lovable character that you can't help but root for. Supporting performances from Sally Hawkins and Rhys Ifans are great too.

The story is one of those that is full of charm and has a nice little message in there too. We follow Flitcroft as he attempts to crack the British Open despite never having struck a golf ball in his life. It makes for lots of comic potential and as a result we get a decently funny film. The attempts to inject emotion into the film weren't as successful but still had a certain resonance.

My only real criticism is with the direction and the way the story was told. It maybe relied a little too much on narrative exposition and montage for my liking, and lost its way in the final third a touch, but for the most part was a solidly entertaining experience.

The Phantom of the Open is a light and breezy watch, with good comedy and a nice uplifting and heartwarming message. Most definitely worth a watch.

Here's my spoiler-free review of Phantom of the Open which came out much later herein Australia but came earlier in different countries! I thought the story was very touching and heartwarming, Mark Rylance is so funny as Maurice Flitcroft, the humour was there and it worked! This is much better than Thor: Love and Thunder there wasn't a single joke I laughed at during that movie but I laughed with the audience for this film! Overall I enjoyed this one so much that it was very heartwarming and fantastically funny! I'm giving this a 7/10! Have fun time at the cinemas with this flick!!! ;)

A brilliant story (true story too) brilliantly brought to life in this fabulous film. Mark Ryland as Maurice Flitcroft is amazing and should be up for a best actor award. It's a real up and downer, emotionally, and could have gone wrong but Simon Farnaby's direction pulls it together superbly. See it without hesitation !

Decent enough film, funny in places with some top acting talent. Rylance and Hawkins are lovely on screen together. Good soundtrack too.

However, and I admit it's a personal peeve: this is based on a true story, and in reality The British Open does not exist. It's The Open! Even the Americans know this! We don't call Wimbledon The British Open, we don't call The FA Cup Final the English Soccer Cup, we don't call The Ashes The World Cricket Cup!! If it's a real thing don't change it!

Still, a decent watch, better than average. And remarkable to think this actually happened, at The Open not the British Open! You get the point!

The ever excellent Mark Rylance impresses as the blue collar worker pursuing his dream to be a amateur golfer at the British Open with hurdles and pitfalls that mark his path.

Lovely Sally Hawkins is his patient and dutiful wife back home and it would take a heart of stone not to get carried away with the kindness and goodness that surround Maurice on his quest.

Of course like most ' true life' British comedies of unlikely people doing rather extraordinary things (Billy Elliot, Eddy The Eagle, The Great Escaper) it follows a predictable path of officious bureaucrats and obstinate individuals getting in the way but it's done with a sweetness that reminded me of Ealing comedies.

A good thing.

Phantom of the Open.2022 Comedy drama about the world's worst golfer Maurice Fitzpatrick, who scored the highest ever score in the British Open in 1975. Imagine Eddie Th Eagle but with golf clubs and you've got the basic idea of the movie. A very obvious 4/ 10.