GENTLEMAN’S GAME, A
Reviewed November 26th, 2002 by David Nusair
A Gentleman’s Game, much like Robert Redford’s The Legend of Bagger Vance, treats golf like it’s some kind of spiritual sport. It works, though, probably due to the fact that when it comes right down to it, golf is a game played solo. You’re alone with your thoughts, and it’s entirely up to you whether or not you’re going to succeed. A Gentleman’s Game follows a teenager as he discovers the sport.
Mason Gamble stars as Timmy Price, an aimless teenager who finds himself working as a caddy one summer courtesy of his father, Mr. Price (Dylan Baker). It’s on the golf course that Timmy discovers that he has a natural talent for the game, a talent that draws the attention of the various high society types that play there. One such country club member, Charlie Logan (Philip Baker Hall), takes a keen interest in the boy, and suggests that he take lessons with Foster Pearse (Gary Sinise). Like Timmy, Foster was once a golf prodigy, but vanished after winning a crucial game. Timmy and his dad track down Foster, who initially doesn’t want to have anything to do with the kid, but eventually comes around.
A Gentleman’s Game is entertaining in an old-school sort of way. The film seems to have this reverential respect of golf, which is initially somewhat off-putting. After all, when you get right down to it, it is just a game. But, like Bagger Vance, A Gentleman’s Game works diligently at convincing us that those who play the sport can have a transcendent experience. And the film, which has been written and directed by J. Mills Goodloe, employs a structure and pace that suits the laid back nature of the game. This is a great looking movie – it’s been shot by Oscar winning cinematographer Conrad L. Hall – with slow pans across water-sprinkled lawns and vast golf courses. It’s almost enough to make a newbie want to try the game.
But as entertaining as the movie is, mostly due to some fine acting all around, Goodloe’s script (based on a book by Tom Coyne) takes a somewhat simplistic and not-exactly-subtle approach to the material. Example: There’s this running subplot featuring Timmy’s dad and his reluctance to exert himself, out of fear of offending other members. Well, Mr. Price gets his chance to turn things around when Hall’s character spends an afternoon drinking heavily, culminating in a racist tirade against the head caddy (played by NYPD Blue’s Henry Simmons). With Timmy watching proudly, Mr. Price tells off Hall, and we’re supposed to assume that everything in his life is going to be all right from now on.
The film takes an equally simplistic approach in resolving the majority of the various plot threads, of which there are many. Generally, I’m complaining about the lack of plot; here, there are more than necessary. Goodloe throws in new subplots in virtually every scene, from the underappreciated caddies to Timmy’s burgeoning relationship with a local girl, the film is stocked top-heavy with scenarios. In fact, the movie’s got so many different stories to juggle, by the time the end rolls around, there isn’t even enough time to wrap everything up. The fate of several characters is revealed in a quick voice over by Gamble just before the end credits. Now, for a movie that spends a lot of time getting the audience invested in the various characters, that’s probably not the best way to conclude things.
Still, the film is always entertaining and contains some great performances. And, more than likely, it’ll change your perception of golf (unless you already like it, in which case it’ll just cement your passion).
Audio: A Gentleman’s Game comes with a DD 2.0 soundtrack, and it does a decent job. Dialogue is always clear and crisp, and though there’s not much spatiality here, the soundtrack is effective for this type of movie.
Video: Though it’s not indicated on the packaging, the movie comes equipped with an anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 transfer, and it’s quite impressive. The film is filled with stunning vistas and beautiful outdoor shots, and the transfer is free of artifacts.
Extras: First up is a commentary track with director Goodloe. It’s a good one, though Goodloe does suffer from that commentary malady of running out of things to say towards the end. There’s also a short documentary on the making of the film which is essentially superfluous if you’ve listened to the commentary, and a trailer.
Conclusion: A Gentleman’s Game is worth a look, especially if you’re a fan of any of the actors.
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