Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius

Bobby Jones has the same feel as the many old movie biographies of the 1950s, like the Glenn Miller Story, but it is better written and better acted and certainly the historic artifacts are better, although it is true that everything looks so new! There is no high drama, but one gets a sense of the sheer effort it took for Jones to succeed. Anyone who knew only the bare outlines of his career, and about his background, may have assumed that he was a "natural"to whom the game came easily. The opposite is true and the movies demonstrates, ironically, why amateurs have disappeared from golf. The effort needed to excel is too great except for the most gifted of golfers. Tiger Woods would not be what he is if he had to work at another job for 9 months a year.

But my questions is: what do some people hate morality tales, but especially the ones that are true. Is it inverted snobbery? I think so.

I'm not a golfer and if I'd known this was a "golf movie" I probably would have stayed home. I knew Jones was a famous golfer but this film transcended golf--and for an independent film it had a real Chariots of Fire kind of spirit to it! This elegant, classically told and beautifully photographed homage to the Jones legacy is not only entertaining but there's some great truths contained in the dialogue. (They'll forgive you for losing but not for quitting). I attended a sneak advance screening of the film. The whole theme of the evening was a `life well lived' and was very inspiring. The more I've (now) read about Jones the more I appreciate this film about a humble guy whose integrity, sportsmanship and refusal to play for money made him a role model for the ages. It's not surprising I guess, to see that some critics seem to have it out for Caviezel who is very understated but excellent in this well-acted film. I think he's our next Gary Cooper. Or maybe Jimmy Stewart (as anyone could tell who's heard him speak). More films like this! Keep up the good work.

Wow, what a nice movie! Beautifully filmed, too.

This is a loving tribute to the American amateur golf legend Bobby Jones but it doesn't sugarcoat his story. Jones is shown with his good and bad sides, especially his horrible temper which he corrected, and his nervous ailments which he was unable to correct and caused an early retirement from the game.

There is a lot of golf footage in here, of tournaments won and lost and battles against famous professional Walter Hagen, who always is pictured in these golf films as an arrogant, flamboyant man. In contrast, Jones' modest character is even more apparent than would normally be noticed.

Anyway, Jim Caveziel is likable as Jones and the two young actors who play the golfer as a kid also do very well. Jones' love interest is appealingly played by Claire Forlani. The two make for a handsome couple.

This is simply a good-natured, feel-good movie that is pleasing to the eyes as well as the heart. If you are a golfer, this a must, but a nice story even if you don't play the game. If you have the DVD, check out the documentaries here. They are quite interesting.

This film which carries no studio name could almost have been made by Fox or Warner in the golden age because of craftsmanship;but it tells the truth as they almost never did. It is a shame the people who promoted this so much seem to have missed an opportunity (hopefully the DVD is more successful).Of course release dates and all come into play ;and Caviezel's current fame cuts both ways . But it seems even golfers have ignored this film judging by the poor Box Office.Definitely in the same league as Seabiscuit ; with outstanding performances by all three playing Bobby Jones as well as a wonderful supporting cast . It is a very moving story when told with all the warts and problems to see.

We saw this movie last night on its opening night for the public. It was a good movie about a man who loved to play golf, and over his lifetime transformed himself into a man of integrity, perseverance, and great intelligence. He knew what was really important in his life and he made a plan that allowed him to fulfill his destiny in golf and in his personal life. He was the best golf player in the world, but he was also an awesome man personally. One of his greatest accomplishments was bringing his father and grandfather together, healing a life-long rift.

The movie was well done. It was both entertaining and enlightening. It definitely kept our interest for the whole two hours. We felt his sense of life-long struggle, that life was never easy for him, and we celebrated his accomplishments, both on and off the golf course. The actors did a wonderful job, especially Jim Caviezel as Bobby and Malcolm McDowell as OB Keilor, the newspaper reporter who wrote about Bobby's career from the very beginning. Jeremy Northam also had a good supporting role as Walter Hagen.

We'd recommend that you see this movie; you don't have to love golf to enjoy it (but if you do, you'll enjoy it all the more). It's worth seeing in the movie theater.