Mark Rylance Makes Me Want to Take up Golfing in This Heartwarming Tale

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Phantom of the Open
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Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Year Released: 2021 (BFI London Film Festival,) 2022 (Wide release)
Runtime: 1h 46m
Director(s): Craig Roberts
Writer(s): Simon Farnaby (screenplay,) Simon Farnaby and Scott Murray (book 'The Phantom of the Open' by)
Cast: Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, Rhys Ifans, Jake Davies, Christian Lees, Jonah Lees, Mark Lewis Jones, Johann Myers, Ash Tandon, Tim Steed, Steve Oram
Where To Watch: Opens in New York and Los Angeles on June 3, with a broader release in additional markets set for the following weeks.

What an experience! When I saw this pop-up months ago, I knew I needed to see it. With Mark Rylance (BRIDGE OF SPIES,) Sally Hawkins (THE SHAPE OF WATER,) and Rhys Ifans (THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN), the film packs a star-studded cast of veteran actors. Although I’m not the biggest fan of golf, movies about them tend to be inspiring. This was thankfully no exception, as Rylance brought his signature charm to the screen in every scene.

As a quick breakdown, the film is about the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, “a dreamer and unrelenting optimist” who lucks his way into The British Open Golf Championship in 1976. What unfolds after that is an absolute joyride filled with comedy and drama.

Fourteen years in the making and worth every minute of the wait. A story that was begging to be told nearly was lost to time. Thankfully this team of filmmakers saw the importance of Flitcroft’s story and dug in their heels to make sure it was made. Initially, when the film didn’t look like it had a future, it was decided to publish a biographical book instead. The story has many fantastical elements, but most importantly, it is a story of one man's beliefs. “He genuinely
thought he could do it.” To me, that is what makes the story so unique and so passionate.

The pieces started to fall together after producer Tom Miller set up his production company. They then optioned the book (basically held onto the rights to make the film), and everything else fell into place.

Ultimately the most significant decision to be made would be who the cast would be. After seeing the film, I don’t think anyone else could have played Flitcroft the way Rylance did. He brings such joy and sincerity to every project he works on that it was a no-brainer that he would be the logical choice. Sally Hawkins was an equally powerful choice, although I feel she was slightly underutilized only because the script didn’t have the role for her. Whenever she could open up, she made the most of it and made sure you wouldn't forget she was there.

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