I can't believe the reviews above: Bobby Jones, neither the movie or the man, was inspiring or uplifting. The story is about a rich kid who becomes a great golfer. The the attempts to create dramatic tension, overcoming a bad temper, mild disapproval from a grandfather, dispute with his wife, are forced and unconvincing. The man had no great problems in life and the movie makers were unable to create any. Further, we learn nothing about him. He doesn't change. Everybody loves him. This is a relatively dull movie, saved only by some nice photography, the occasion bit of wit and Jeremy Northam's portrayal of Walterr Hagan.
I also found the naive an eliteist attitude about being an "amateur" grating. The reason that Jones, and like-minded people like the Olympic committee for so many years, played up amateurism and locked down their nose at professionals had nothing to do with love of the game. It was snobbery. Only the wealthy could afford to be amateurs. Professional athletes came from lower classes and had to make money, as Walter Hagan explains.
In fact, this would have been a far more interesting movie if it had explored Hagan's background and how he fought his way to the top ranks of golf. He certainly was a far more interesting character than Jones. And Jeremy Northam is a far more interesting actor than Jim Caviezel.
I also found the naive an eliteist attitude about being an "amateur" grating. The reason that Jones, and like-minded people like the Olympic committee for so many years, played up amateurism and locked down their nose at professionals had nothing to do with love of the game. It was snobbery. Only the wealthy could afford to be amateurs. Professional athletes came from lower classes and had to make money, as Walter Hagan explains.
In fact, this would have been a far more interesting movie if it had explored Hagan's background and how he fought his way to the top ranks of golf. He certainly was a far more interesting character than Jones. And Jeremy Northam is a far more interesting actor than Jim Caviezel.