Reno Rangan
I don't know the history of golf because I'm not a regular follower of the game other than knowing a few names from this generation. So Severiano Ballesteros is an unheard name to me until I saw this beautiful film. I'm glad I saw it for the many reasons like that.All the films are not for just entertainment, some are the great historical account that makes it reach in a wider distance like this one. Every sports produced its own legends, and so this film is focused on golf. One of the best sport-drama I have ever seen and an important film based on the golf, specially dedicated to Seve fans.An English-Spanish language film produced with the collaboration of Britain-Spain. It sets in a small coastal town of the northern Spain in the year 1967 where the 10 year old Seve introduced to us. Being born in a hardworking farmer family and after losing interest in the studies, how he develops a passion towards the golf is what the film portraits. At the young age he begins to think of the game of all the time and it becomes his life. With the support from his family and trained himself in the harsh conditions make him turn into one of the gifted golfer in the history.This is one of the strangest screen presentations I have seen. It is nothing visual spectacular, or if you expect it to be a film that recreates his whole life, then you might end in a disappointment. Because it was a mix of the feature film as well as the documentary. His childhood days before he becomes a pro was awesomely cinematised and the rest was the archive footages from all the tournament he had competed."The one with biggest heart will win."That's the part anybody must not miss it because some of the greatest shots he ever played and when he teed off a bad shot, how he came back to the game was so inspiring. His spellbinding techniques and as a humble human being, anyone who does not know would to begin to like him like I did. The blend in narration between the real videos and actors performed were amazing. A perfect screen exhibition for a great sporting personality.Coming from an economically poor family did not stop him to pursue his dream. Everyone goes through a struggle while chasing such dream, and so Seve did despite very talented. It was a long journey that covered most of his life. With the interview clippings attached to it, lets us know his many unknown qualities of his family, friends, former teammates and opponents recalling their memories. Including some of his old interviews where he reveals how much he loved the game.It was not your usual biographical-sport film, but surely a must see. Very cleverly written screenplay and obviously wonderful editing. Especially if you're a Severiano Ballesteros' fan, you'll definitely love to see him in the film. This is how you showcase a legend on the screen if making money from the product is not an agenda, but letting the world who is Severiano Ballesteros.Actually, it was directed by a documentary filmmaker, so he excelled it. But the sad part is the film did not reach a wider audience or even the golf fans as it should have been. Mainly because the film did not see the worldwide release, but it is available in the digital format. So I hope my review made you a curious about it and I once gain hope you would recommend it to your friends.9/10
Aiden Pierce
The love of the golf fell upon the young, optimistic heart of Seve Ballesteros of Pedrena, Spain, signaling the start of a long affair of greatness. As a child prodigy, knowing with full confidence that he was going to be a champion someday, Ballesteros grew into one of the most beloved and inspirational European professional golfers of all time. Seve the Movie beautifully follows Ballesteros' path from skipping school to hit golf balls on the beach near his home, to traveling across the world for golf tournaments, winning trophies. Director John-Paul Davidson's creative direction is a driving force behind the tribute to the legend, as well as the ability to capture the real personality of Ballesteros through the young actor, Jose Luis Gutierrez, who portrays young Ballesteros in the film. Seve the Movie explores the challenges that Ballesteros was faced with in pursuit of his dream, as well as allowing the viewer to peek inside his genius mind behind golf technique. When talking about Ballesteros, a speaker in the film simply says, "He strode like a champion." After seeing Ballesteros' charisma and charm played out in the biopic, I know that statement is spot-on. In all, Seve the Movie informs, motivates, and most importantly, reminds the audience of this man's dedication to the sport he loved.
Rachel Ridley
Seve: The Movie succeeds in creating a tribute to the great Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros which both acts as documentary and a universal, engaging story of passion and perseverance. A mixture of conventional, archive-based documentary and dramatized biopic – Director John-Paul Davidson does a masterful job of fleshing out the past of young Ballesteros. Child actor Jose Luis Gutierrez convincingly takes on this role. While lesser films would have delved into melodrama, Seve: The Movie shows the failures as well as the triumphs to give a sense of realism to the making of one of golf's legends. Flitting between footage of its subject's triumphs at the British Open and US Masters, and a reenactment of his impoverished childhood as a farmer's son in Spain, the charismatic figure of Ballesteros shines through. Filled with passion, charm, and occasional humor, the film will have you cheering on this golfing pro whether you are familiar with him at the onset of the movie or not.
Laura Marie
SEVE: The Movie was an inspirational biopic that opened a window into the life of the Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros. It follows Seve all the way through his life from childhood to his untimely death from brain cancer in 2011. The film really immerses you in his life. During the flashbacks to his childhood, recounted with very talented actors such as José Luis Gutiérrez who plays Seve.The movie is in Spanish with English subtitles. Gutiérrez is a fantastic young actor who really nailed Seve's iconic swing and his light-hearted attitude. Also interspersed throughout the movie were some great archival clips of Seve playing golf at various championships that he competed in such as the Ryder Cup and the Masters. There were also some real interviews with Seve. All of this combined really made the movie a terrific tribute to his man, and his passion was palpable through the actors and through the shots we got to see of him playing the sport that he loved so much. The film was also a great tribute to the sport of golf itself, showing its intricacies and the drama that can be involved in it. Overall, a great film that I would recommend to anyone with even the slightest interest in golf.