Tommy's Honour

Jason Connery (Sean's son) directs this story about old Tom Morris and his son Tommy written by Pamela Martin from the book by Kevin Cook. It's a bit surprising that the story focuses as much or more on the melodrama and personal story of the younger Tommy than the historical influences, but there is links action to give us a feel for the times.

Jack Lowden and his dimples portray Tommy, while Ophelia Lovibond plays his love interest Meg. Their relationship drives the story, and we are reminded that small-minded people were every bit as prevalent 140 years ago as they are now. Tommy's mother, their community, and even the minister of the Church pass harsh judgment on Meg and her unfortunate past. Combine that with the element of "Gentlemen", which are anything but, and we get an understanding of how Tommy's actions changed not just the game of golf, but also influenced the softening of the class difference. His push to bring respect and fairness to professional golfers erased the similarities with how race horses and golfers were treated the same from a wagering perspective.

This was the time of the original "13 Rules of Golf", and when rowdy crowd hovered right next to the golfers as they played. Other than the closing credit graphics, Old Tom Morris (Peter Mullan) isn't really given his due as a course designer, but this is really the story of his son, and though the film is a bit too long, it's a story that deserves to be told.

While the Morris family did not invent golf, they did create a following for it. This movie is based upon a true story. While I find it rather primitive to grow up in 19th century, that is when this story happened. It was a time of classes! You had your rich, born with a silver spoon in your mouth, upper class. Then you had the poor servants, such as the waitress, the golf grounds keeper and his family. Old Tom Morris was the grounds keeper for the premier golf course in Scotland. Young Tom Morris was his son, who reached for the stars and demanded respect as well as being treated as an equal! Together they were the best golfing pair in the world!!

Had never heard of Morris Senior nor Junior prior to stumbling across this film. Also do not know much about the game of golf. Neither of these facts prevented me from being fully absorbed into the story. Actors did a fine job of depicting the characters, all of whom were credible. The ways and costumes of the era, believable. There was naught in the film that jarred me out of full absorption. Inspired and visually delicious, this is one that could be viewed over and over, still to find something new to love about it.

Surprised that I enjoyed this film a lot, as was not expecting the story to be enthralling as it was.

Based on the true story of the father and son who basically founded the professional game of golf enjoyed by millions today.

Peter Mullan as always gives a good performance, but the real star is Jack Lowden as the son. His star is ascending

With scant knowledge of or interest in golf and no notion at all of the Morris father and son partnership, this film was not an obvious viewing choice. However, Mullan and Neill were a draw-card enough and so I found myself whisked up to the wilds and links of Scotland. Beautiful scenery, a social interest story of class, and a creeping disapproval of the unkindness of some religious attitudes drew me in. The central performances of Lowden and Lovibond illuminate the piece, and create the emotional heft. Even with no engagement with golf, it's impossible not to care about the fortunes of this young couple. Watch it with an Open mind and heart.