The Greatest Game Ever Played

Name: The Greatest Game Ever Played
Genre: Drama, History, Sport
Released: September 30, 2005
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Elias Koteas, Stephen Dillane

2005

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 29 Ratings

See All

8.1

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.1	Your Score
8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 29 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Greatest Game Ever Played

Now Playing: The Greatest Game Ever Played

Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: September 30, 2005 | PG

Starring: Elias Koteas, Stephen Dillane

Summary: From the studio that brought you "The Rookie" and "Miracle" and director Bill Paxton, comes a story of courage, passion and of the greatest American sports hero you have probably never heart of. (Disney)

Director: Bill Paxton

Genre(s): Drama, History, Sport

Rating: PG

Runtime: 120 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

William Arnold

It's by far the most inspirational sports movie to come along in many a month. Read full review

James Berardinelli

As feel-good as any sports movie you're likely to find. It's a solid choice for family viewing, but is equally worthy of viewing by solo adults. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Actor-turned-helmer Bill Paxton has fashioned solid family entertainment in this well-cast feature. Read full review

Keith Phipps

As Ouimet, the always-terrific Shia LeBeouf is an oasis of depth in a film that otherwise can't pass up a sports-film cliché. Read full review

Tim Grierson

The Greatest Game mostly sits there limply -- it lacks the charming swagger Paxton dependably brings to his own acting roles. Read full review

Joshua Katzman

Sports films about underdogs overcoming long odds run the gamut from flinty intelligence (Million Dollar Baby) to mushy sentimentality (Seabiscuit). This Disney drama...falls somewhere in the middle. Read full review

Dallas Observer Bill Gallo

This highly sanitized, heavily costumed, dramatically inert nonsense makes last year's dreadful golf biopic "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius" look like a masterpiece. Read full review

SEE ALL 28 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

EvanW.

Apr 30, 2007

This movie is a great inspirational story about grit, determinination, adn the desire to do what you love to do. The acting is above average, with great performances from the always stellar Shia Lebouf and a very solid performance by Stephen Dillane. To any fans of golf, or any sport this This movie is a great inspirational story about grit, determinination, adn the desire to do what you love to do. The acting is above average, with great performances from the always stellar Shia Lebouf and a very solid performance by Stephen Dillane. To any fans of golf, or any sport this is the movie for you. A heartfelt sports masterpiece.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

CherS.

Nov 4, 2005

Go! I am not a golfer - nor do I watch it on tv. This movie is about life. You will be cheering, and even find a tear in your eye. Golfers will love it, but - they couldn't love it more than we did! Finally, a movie without helicopters, violence, and sex!!! Wow - it is refreshing, and Go! I am not a golfer - nor do I watch it on tv. This movie is about life. You will be cheering, and even find a tear in your eye. Golfers will love it, but - they couldn't love it more than we did! Finally, a movie without helicopters, violence, and sex!!! Wow - it is refreshing, and hopeful, and delightful!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

IntelliCritic

Oct 18, 2015

This is by far the most thoughtful, heart-wrenching golf film yet released. Indeed, The Greatest Game Ever Played reaches out universally instead of just to golfers or other athletes. LaBeouf excellently portrays a struggling, passionate youth who miraculously rises to the elite skill levelThis is by far the most thoughtful, heart-wrenching golf film yet released. Indeed, The Greatest Game Ever Played reaches out universally instead of just to golfers or other athletes. LaBeouf excellently portrays a struggling, passionate youth who miraculously rises to the elite skill level of golfers. This film's musical score is lively, catchy, and gives a strong sense of excitement and suspense to the rising action of the plot. Finally, The Greatest Game Ever Played demonstrates a masterful juxtaposition of the old-fashioned and the modern with its use of awe-inspiring CGI in the context of yesteryear.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Lynn

Nov 7, 2005

It was beautiful. It was appealing. The caddy was wonderful. The golf looked good, and how many movies do we have about golf? OK, Tin Cup.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

gautam_k

Jul 18, 2011

With biopics, it is not easy to captivate audiences especially with the predictability factor coming into play. But this movie tackles this problem pretty well and manages to impress albeit a little. This is a feel good movie that initially staggers but manages to stand up on its feet andWith biopics, it is not easy to captivate audiences especially with the predictability factor coming into play. But this movie tackles this problem pretty well and manages to impress albeit a little. This is a feel good movie that initially staggers but manages to stand up on its feet and comes above the average mark. The direction and unexpectedly the visual effects stand out among other aspects. The movie runs about rudderless in the first half due to what i conclude as poor writing. The scenes seem disconnected from each other and the proceedings don't seems to make sense (i mean why would a golf association president bother persuading a store janitor to take up golf, especially after he refuses initially). The movie comes very close to going off the cliff but the the cast and director manage to hold the attention. The movie has a British flavor to it. Midway, the movie sets a background of an ongoing rivalry between the British and the American golfers. Giving the rivalry a friendly tone but not losing the competitiveness is a tough job and the script manages this beautifully. This is the point where i think the script finds its ground and gives the movie a new hope and direction.

Shia LaBeouf seems a natural and gives a fitting performance for his slightly decentralized role as American peasant class golfer Francis Ouimet. Sharing the spotlight with him is Stephen Dillane who gives the most memorable performance. He plays the role of the legendary British golfer with a poor background Harry Vardon lured into the rat race by the ever elusive social status. He is haunted by 4 men wearing top hats who had put an un-erasable ghostly impression on him in his childhood. It clearly shows that having a strong theatre background certainly helps. It is worth noting that both these characters are from under privileged homes with Vardon already reaching the peak of his career while Ouimet following the footsteps of his rival cum idol. Other supporting actors play out their parts in a commendable manner. I especially liked Eddie, the young "smarter than age" caddie played by Josh Flitter.

I didn't know squat about golfing but i tried learning about it before watching this one. Fortunately the movie doesn't dwell deep into the technicalities of golfing. Although you wont be at a disadvantage if you don't understand golf but the movie will be more enjoyable if you do know the basics. The special effects deserve well... a 'special' mention. The game has been beautifully showcased with the boredom factor almost eliminated by the inspiring effects. It was what kept me going all the time. Each time the golf ball is driven, we are treated with a different angle or perspective followed by a montage which skip past the length and width of the game. The background score only adds to the thrill.

The movie, in its entirety, could have been much more than what it is. Anyhow, the movie at its core is about dreaming big and going after the dream irrespective of what others think of you. Both the central characters Apart from the starting hiccups, the movie plays out fine without being over-dramatic. But if you are looking for a movie with some inspiration, this may not be the ideal choice.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JamesB.

Apr 16, 2006

A good film with a story...don't have to be a golf fan. The directing was the weakest aspect of the movie. It's easy to spot an actor trying to be a director.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Warren

Oct 24, 2005

Can you spell sterile and boring? Where's the beef?

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS