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Talk About It

1. Golf has long been regarded as a gentleman's sport. Is that still the case today? How has it changed in the last century, and how is it the same? Have country clubs improved upon their membership restrictions, or are people still unjustly turned away because of social class, race, or gender?
   
   
2. As portrayed in the film, how are Harry Vardon and Francis Ouimet similar? How are they different? How do their perspectives compare with other golfers in the movie?
   
   
3. Does Ouimet honor his father's wishes in the movie? Could he have handled their relationship differently without causing friction? Is Arthur Ouimet ever out of line in his parenting and discipline? How do we distinguish between honoring our parents and doing what's best for ourselves? At what age, if any, is that appropriate?
   
   
4. Were Ouimet's dreams of becoming a champion golfer practical? How far should we pursue dreams when the odds are stacked against us? What factors determine our decision making in such matters?

The Family Corner

The Greatest Game Ever Played is rated PG for some brief mild language, so brief that I never noticed it. The Ted Ray character punches someone in the face in one scene. But overall, this is a clean film that's perfectly suitable for all ages, though young children will likely be bored with a two-hour film about golf.

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Can a movie about golf be compelling, meaningful, and enjoyable for the whole family? Director Bill Paxton answers "Yes!" and offers up The Greatest Game Ever Played as proof. Critics agree that this tale of the 1913 United States Open golf tournament and its young underdog (played by Shia LeBeouf of Holes) is worth catching.

Harry Forbes (Catholic News Service) calls it "an intelligent adult film that youngsters should like as well. … [It's] a moving and elevating experience."

Steven D. Greydanus (Decent Films) says it's "perhaps the most visually and emotionally dynamic film ever made about a game of golf — perhaps the most visually and emotionally dynamic possible film about a game of golf. If that's not enough to sell you on seeing it, it's also a rousing, true underdog story."

Lisa Rice (Crosswalk) says, "Families will thoroughly enjoy The Greatest Game Ever Played, a true Disney classic that will prompt discussion on the unfairness, prejudice, and wrongful exclusivity of golf and other highbrow sports, as well as the power of the brave individuals who challenge the system."

Adam R. Holz (Plugged In) says, "I'm not a golfer, so I wondered how interesting a movie about this sport would be to me. But the parallel struggles that [the central characters] face as they compete not only against each other but against those who look down on their humble backgrounds makes for a compelling story."

Cliff Vaughn (Ethics Daily) says, "Greatest Game is time well spent at the movies. This Disney film is sure to earn a place alongside other favorites like The Rookie, Remember the Titans, Miracle, Hoosiers or Seabiscuit."

Mainstream critics cheer from the sidelines for Paxton's first venture into family-friendly filmmaking.

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Shia LaBeouf, who plays golf whiz kid Francis Ouimet in The Greatest Game Ever Played, says he learned that golf is the most "honorable" game in sports.