The Phantom of the Open

Directed by Craig Roberts and adapted by Simon Farnaby from Scott Murray’s book is the story of Maurice Flitcroft. Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) is a crane driver from Barrow-in-furness, who when he hears from his son (Jake Davies) that he may be made redundant, he decides he needs a new job and that entering the 1975 British Open Golf is the job for him. The problem is he has never picked up a golf club. But encouraged by his loving wife, Jean (Sally Hawkins), he applies and via some poor due diligence from the committee, he finds himself accepted to play. However, he’s not as good as he had hoped, scoring 121 the worst score from a professional (Self proclaimed) golfer. He’s seen as an embarrassment and banned for life, but undeterred Maurice keeps trying.

Roberts and Farnaby haven’t brought to screen a biography of Flitcroft. In the way Jaws is not about a shark this isn’t about his attempts to get into the open. It’s more a human story about hope, dreams, encouraging others and sacrificing yourself for them to achieve. This is compounded by the Rocketman’esque use of fantastical dream like sequences, which feel a little odd but do bring charm.

And charm is something it has plenty of especially from its leads. Rylance portrays Flitcroft as unassuming and good hearted, who constantly uses his homespun positivity to encourage others to achieve. And even when he feels he has failed he finds he has still inspired others. In Sally Hawkins, Rylance has the perfect support as she brings to Jean lots of understated charm and her unwavering support and love.

It is sweet film, a little slow at times and the premise is maybe a little thin. But its easy going warm nature and Rylance and Hawkins’s performances more than win you over.

Phantom of the Open won’t change the world, but it’s charming and inoffensive, humorous and warm hearted. Flitcroft’s story is a bizarre one and brought enjoyably to the screen and a nice enough way to spend 100 or so minutes

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