So, why did this film flop...so badly. Simple. To enjoy this film you pretty much have to have a true interest in golf, and perhaps even more so, and interest in the history of golf. That brings things down to a pretty small audience.
That being said, this is a very good film. I do have to admit that I preferred the depiction of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen in "The Legend Of Bagger Vance", but the depictions here are probably more accurate. The film also suffers from being a bit too long...123 minutes...it could have been edited more tightly. And, I wish it had spent a little time telling about Jones' illness later in life.
The performances here are, in my view, solid. Jim Caviezel was excellent as Bobby Jones, although I did prefer the depiction by Joel Gretsch in "Bagger Vance". Claire Forlani is good as Jone's wife. Jeremy Northam was good as Walter Hagen, although again, I preferred the depiction by Bruce McGill in "Bagger Vance". I never cared for Malcolm McDowell in his younger years, but as he has matured I've come to appreciate his performances, and he's enjoyable here. I almost didn't recognize Aidan Quinn as a British golfer...watch for him...it's a rather small part. Brett Rice was very good as Bobby's father, and Connie Ray good as his mother. Dan Albright was interesting as the grandfather. I also enjoyed Paul Freeman as the Scottish caddy.
If you're a golfer, I recommend this film. If you're not a golfer, you may find it boring. But it is a nicely executed film.
That being said, this is a very good film. I do have to admit that I preferred the depiction of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen in "The Legend Of Bagger Vance", but the depictions here are probably more accurate. The film also suffers from being a bit too long...123 minutes...it could have been edited more tightly. And, I wish it had spent a little time telling about Jones' illness later in life.
The performances here are, in my view, solid. Jim Caviezel was excellent as Bobby Jones, although I did prefer the depiction by Joel Gretsch in "Bagger Vance". Claire Forlani is good as Jone's wife. Jeremy Northam was good as Walter Hagen, although again, I preferred the depiction by Bruce McGill in "Bagger Vance". I never cared for Malcolm McDowell in his younger years, but as he has matured I've come to appreciate his performances, and he's enjoyable here. I almost didn't recognize Aidan Quinn as a British golfer...watch for him...it's a rather small part. Brett Rice was very good as Bobby's father, and Connie Ray good as his mother. Dan Albright was interesting as the grandfather. I also enjoyed Paul Freeman as the Scottish caddy.
If you're a golfer, I recommend this film. If you're not a golfer, you may find it boring. But it is a nicely executed film.