Customer Reviews

A Gentleman's Game

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I think that perhaps the people who reviewed this film negatively simply don't see it the way I do. I don't claim to know what the director had in mind, but I know what I take from this movie. I am NOT a golfer, but this film leaves me with an appreciation for golf which I have never before felt. Bagger Vance was okay, but more an entertaining film than a study of golf. Nor is A Gentleman's Game all about golf. There's a lot going on here, some of it is about golfing, some of it deals with the inside, or other side of the game, the "loopers." Ultimately this movie is not about golfing, even though it chiefly centers on golfing and around a golf course. The overall story comes together with meaning greater than its several individual parts. Gary Sinise never dissapoints & the entire cast delivers wonderfully in this film, but Mason Gamble is the one to watch. A very talented young actor. I am reminded of Kevin Spacey in Shipping News, wherein Spacey virtually tells the entire movie with his facial expressions. Gamble does not quite have as demanding a role here as Spacey had in Shipping News, but he does remarkably well with what he's given---& considering his age that's all the more impressive. We easily know what his character, Timmy, is feeling at all times without having to hear any dialog. Mason Gamble has been around a while, & I'm sure will have no trouble remaining in the industry as long as he chooses to keep making movies. Look for him in the quirky Rushmore, or in the hook-setting opening scene of Arlington Road, & periodically thereafter throughout. I believe he was also Dennis the Mennace, & I'm sure he's done a few other films. I like gentleman's Game because it tells a story that centers around something I previously cared nothing about; now I at least have some appreciation for, and a much greater understanding of, golf. It's a good movie, and it's deffinately telling a worth while story. Plus it had the added bonus for me of coming as an unexpected surprise treat when I first saw it. (I had a cheap rental coupon & never hearing of it before, happened upon it while browsing in Hollywood Video) I reccomend this movie as a great one to watch and a good one to own.

This was a very good movie for anyone who loves golf, or for any one who loves a good story. I picked it up for my fiance, who is definately a "golf nut". He loved it! The characters are interesting and the theme is that of lessons in life and "coming of age". A great addition to any collection!!

Amateur is according the Greek meaning: all those who love what they do .
And somehow the spirit of constant and ascendant improving established the difference in Foster that day when the cheat was done. He imposed to himself the maximum penalty to finish with that hard and unbearable memories.
But when he watches that young promise who tries by all means to get close him and knowing about him, he will feel the last call and something inside him it will awake.
This slow paced but interesting script is a lesson of life, the constancy, tenacity and work ness will never lead you to a dead zone. Something is watching you and sooner or later the truth will shine.
Along the film there are another secondary lines that support the script: the caddy world, the racism and the secret passions. Splendid photography and a brilliant performance of Gary Sinise and Phillip Baker Hal confer this movie an artistic status.

There is much in this golf based movie. The much is its asset and liability. There are too many plots which don't tie together well, and confuse the viewer. Father/son, poor/rich, etc.

What does come out shining is a young boy's love for the game pure and simple. Wealth covering up problems and a morally sound burnt out golf champion. If the director would have just revolved it around this, it would have been more attractive.

As is, a memorable view. The profanity is dominate. Maybe it has to be. Do we need so much to make a point?

What I take from this movie is the message that it IS possible for the dazzle of success and fame to cloud your judgment. The lasting message is not about golf. It is about seeking what you want to achieve for yourself, and not for the enhancement of other people's egos. I don't want to spoil the plot line for those who have not seen it yet. But if you have seen this film, hopefully you know what I mean.
The story is done with a light hand, not relying on overly dramatic posturing for the camera. Mason Gamble does an excellent job of showing the pure joy of a personal success (perfecting the golf swing), to the disappointment he feels from his father, to the sadness of what happens to his fellow caddy buddy, to the blushes of first lust. Gary Sinise is as understated as usual, a lot of what he has to say at the end of the movie coming from his body language and facial expressions rather than from dialogue.
I found it to be a feel good movie, and I recommend it for a rainy or snowy afternoon.

A terrific movie with everything one could hope for and expect. I liked this movie for it's realism. They threw thr "F" word around a bit deliberately poking fun at movies with gratuitous foul language, I found it apprpriate. Very entertaining, describing golf well and making very good suggestions about life-decisions, I love this movie and highly recommend it.

This is not really a film about golf, but a film about life with golf as the backdrop. Therein lies the problem. First time director J. Mills Goodloe can't seem to choose where he wants to go with the story and it meanders aimlessly from storyline to storyline in an attempt to give it a coming-of-age flavor.

He would have been better to concentrate on Timmy (Mason Gamble) and his relationship with Foster (Gary Sinise) in his quest to improve his golf game. This is clearly the best and most interesting element of the story. Instead he flits about following Timmy's relationship with the other loopers, his infatuation with the beverage girl and the happenings at various club events. The relationship between Timmy and Foster never really gets much traction until the final scene and even then the validation is delivered via a letter rather than a face to face encounter, which would have made it poignant and satisfying.

The acting by Mason Gamble and Gary Sinise is excellent. They have good chemistry and it is clear they connect. Gamble gives a very steady performance throughout and gives the character a naive charm and steely resolve that are extremely engaging. Sinise plays a stolid and standoffish character harboring a terrible secret and bitter disappointment. His understated performance is a perfect fit for this complex character whose cavalier nature hides deeper turmoil. The rest of the cast is simply terrible. Dylan Baker is horrible as Timmy's dad. Phillip Baker Hall is awful as the two faced Charlie Logan.

This film had great potential that was never realized. I rated it 5/10. It should have stayed with the golf story rather than dissipate itself on the other less interesting elements.

I am an avid golfer and a true student of the game who also caddied as a child. I found many elements of this movie relevant and true, but the movie delivered in an extremely slow fashion. Throughout the movie, one gets the sense that a climax is building, which eventually comes at the end but without much bravado. I would not recommend this movie if you have other movie options.

This is really a great movie about how a kid learns through his life about the game of golf and how hard it is to become a winner in not just golf, but in life. The storyline is typical of how hard it was for the middleclass to afford the dues at a country club years ago.

I will watch the movie again and know that I don't rewatch anything that is not good... The rules of the game and just being honest comes out in this movie...
It is well worth the price I paid!!! It shows that cheating in the game of golf is not worth the headache. Doing so will stay as a bad memory with you for a lifetime... (that is if you are human and have somewhat of a brain).

"A Gentleman's Game" is a great movie, with great acting from the principle cast, especially Gary Sinise. The only two flaws I can point out are:-
1) The character of Molly is miscast.
2) A little too much swearing that conceals the sweet nature of the film.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good film, even if you aren't a big golf fan, which, by the way, I wasn't, yet I still found it enjoyable!!!!