Ian
(Flash Review)If you are not a golf fan now, this film won't win over new fans from viewing this. It doesn't focus on why golf caught on or how its appreciation truly grew. Rather if focuses on the man who shepherded into wider popularity in the 1860's, Tom Morris, while his son, Tommy Morris, became a multiple early Open Champion. For me, too many scenes revolve around father and son as well as early golf country members as they all squabble about social classes and how big a slice of the purse the winning golfer should get compared to the tournament organizers. I wish they could have better intertwined into the story more interesting historical golf factoids of the early game of golf. I didn't connect with any of the characters as they were far from warm so when strife hit them my emotional reaction was minimal. It was moderately interesting as it was shot very professionally but I wish the script had adjusted its focus better for my interests as the core drama was of marginal intrigue.
Mark Turner
It's always a good thing when a movie takes on a historical figure or incident and attempts to bring it to life on film. Not only does it give some of us a chance to learn about something that happened in the past it allows us to relive it the best we can in the here and now. In some cases it allows that at a safe distance (any war film) and in others it allows us a more intimate encounter. That intimate encounter is what is at the heart of TOMMY'S HONOUR.While some might say golf was invented in China in the 1200s, most recognize the game as taking hold in Scotland around 1457. The game became more popular in the seventeenth century but it was in the late 1800s that it took off. The most famous course was in St. Andrews and was taken care of by Tom Morris starting in 1865. None of that is provided in the film but it made me interested enough to look it up.That's because the film is about both Tom Morris (Peter Mullen) and his son, Tommy (Jack Lowden). As the film opens Tommy has come into his owns as a golfer, matching and beating the abilities of his father. Tom has long been the groundskeeper by this time and makes a living by taking care of the course, running the shop that makes the clubs and balls and on the side playing as what goes for a pro at the time. What that involved then was to play for the wealthy club members as their representative and if you won they then determined what to give you in return.Tommy is not content to live out his life like his father. He has no interest in remaining at St. Andrew and dreams of the day when he will make a living playing golf for himself and not at the whim of an English gentleman. But times then were not like now and he's told more than once to remember his station in life and that he'll never rise above it. At the same time no one can question his skill and ability.As Tommy begins his ascendance on the links he meets a woman working as a waitress. Meg Drinnen (Ophelia Lovibond) catches his eye but she's much older than him. She also has a secret she keeps to herself that is revealed in time. The two fall in love and begin seeing one another. Her secret is revealed and rather than abandon her, the pair marry.Tommy's headstrong attitude can only allow him to go so far. He clashes often with his father about his future and about taking care of his family, both the one he intends to create as well as the one he comes from. The film focuses on all aspects of his life but revolves mostly around three items: his golfing ability, his relationship with his father and his wife. All three are tied together in an interesting tale that holds your interest from start to finish.Some may watch the game of golf and find it incredibly boring. If you've ever played golf you realize the skill that it actually takes to do so. Watching the games taking place in this film is more intriguing than most games today. In part that's because we begin to care about the characters involved. But the way the film is written, shot and directed makes it more interesting as well. Jason Connery (son of Sean) has done a fantastic job of capturing the suspense that each stroke creates as games are played with only one stroke determining the winner or loser.Going into this film I had no idea who Tom or Tommy Morris was. After watching it I found them to be incredibly sympathetic men who achieved greatness on their own terms in a time when the distinctions between classes was so heavy it burdened those with a dream. There are no lasers, no guns and no chase scenes in this film and yet it will hold your attention till the end credits.I've noted the skills of those behind the camera but those in front do a great service to the story as well. As Old Tom, Mullen speaks only when necessary and uses his skills as an actor to portray the emotions and thoughts of his character instead, doing an amazing job. Lowden is more in your face as Tommy, displaying the exuberance of youth and the dire consequences it can bring. And Lovibond (recently seen on the TV series ELEMENTARY) shows that she is capable of matching the abilities of her co-stars. Here's hoping we see more from all three.This is not a movie that will catch the eye of most who visit a nearby Redbox looking for a movie to rent. It won't be hyped and it won't be one that most will have heard of. That's a shame because it is one worth making the effort to watch, a dramatic tale of a young man who actually lived and is not quite as well remembered as he should be. What more can someone ask for in a movie based on history that tells his tale? This one is definitely worth watching.
Paul Allaer
"Tommy's Honour" (2016 release from Scotland; 115 min.) brings the story of father and son Tommy and Tommy Jr. Morris. As the movie opens, a reporter from the Times of London wants to interview Tommy, by now an old man. But Tommy informs the reporter that the only story he is willing to give him, is about a young man. We then go back in time to the 1860s, and we learn that the young man referred to is Tommy Jr., an up-and-coming lad who loves the game of golf. His dad is a the groundskeeper of the local golf club and started the Open Championship. Along the way, we get to know other characters, including an aristocrat for whom the Morris lads play organized golf, and a young waitress who catches Tommy Jr.'s eye. At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Couple of comments: this is the big screen adaptation of the book of the same name by Kevin Cook(who co-wrote the movie's script). The director is Jason Connery (yes, son of Scottish icon Sean Connery, and best known for his acting work in UK TV and movies). The movie is a mix of sports movie, family drama, romance, and war of the classes. The tensions between father and son are the most obvious, with the older Morris sticking to the 'agreed' behavior between working class and aristocrats, while young Tommy is eager to break the rules. When he pushes for a better financial arrangement, the Captain of the golf club sneers "Your station in life was set well before you were born", and later on (when Tommy wins yet another major golf event) "You're a hero to this town, but a gentleman you will never be", ouch! I found the movie a bit lightweight, to be honest, as those tensions never really feel real. It isn't until much later in the movie (when Tommy Jr.'s love life becomes the focus) that we feel emotionally involved. Along the way, the gorgeous photography (entirely filmed on location of course) makes this movie feel like one long advert for the beauty that is Scotland. The acting performances are fine: Peter Mullan as Old Tom Morris, Jack Lowden as Tommy Morris, and none other than Sam Neil as the Captain/villain aristocrat."Tommy's Honour" opened in US theaters this weekend. I imagine it's not a coincidence that this is the very weekend after the Masters, the Super Bowl of golf when interest in the game is at its peak in the US. This is an okay movie, in particular if you has a special interest in golf. I found it to be pleasant, nothing more, nothing else.
