The Phantom of the Open

Apparently I like true stories about quirky British underdogs because I really enjoyed Dream Horse and The Duke and, after watching it yesterday, I can now add The Phantom of the Open to that list.  Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) has many dreams and ambitions but he gives them up and works as a crane operator at a shipyard like his father and grandfather, marries Jean (Sally Hawkins), adopts her son Michael (Jake Davies), and raises his twin sons Gene (Christian Lees) and James (Jonah Lees) instead.  When he hears a rumor that there might be layoffs at the shipyard after decades of working there he decides that the time is right to find a new dream.  He inexplicably picks golf despite never having played the game before and buys the cheapest golf clubs available, finds a second-hand argyle sweater, practices a bit on his own, and receives permission to play at the British Open due to a little white lie on his application.  He plays the worst round of golf in the history of the Open which gets him banned from competitive play for life and embarrasses his son Michael but he also becomes a folk hero to the masses who think of golf as an elitist sport and encourages his sons Gene and James to follow their dreams.  This is a stand up and cheer story with the unusual message that it is just as important to take part as it is to win and I found that to be incredibly refreshing.  Rylance plays the character straight with an affable naivete and this is absolutely brilliant because you never doubt for a moment that Flitcroft believes in what he is doing and that he has a chance to win!  Hawkins shines as a loving wife willing to do anything to support her husband and Rhys Ifans is hilarious as the snobbish official who runs the golf course for the British Open.  I liked all of the needle drops, especially "Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations during the ubiquitous training montage and "Ride Like The Wind" by Christopher Cross as Flitcroft steals a golf cart to elude capture.  The sequences involving magical realism are fun and really effective in establishing Flitcroft's belief that anything is possible.  This charming movie is perfect for a Sunday afternoon and I recommend it to those who like true stories about quirky British underdogs as much as I do!