Who knew golf could be so exciting? Craig Roberts’ latest is the emotionally encapsulating The Phantom of the Open: a first-time on-screen retelling of the true story of ‘The World’s Worst Professional Golfer’—Maurice Flitcroft.
★★★✰✰
Maurice Flitcroft might be notorious for scoring the worst ever British Open score (121), yet his tale is one that soothes the soul whilst at the same time causing a few tears to fall. The Phantom of the Open takes a somehow untold tale, blending Roberts’ brilliant directing with the marvellous writing of Simon Farnaby to create a beautiful narrative of aspiration. Set in 1970s England, The Phantom of the Open is a wonderfully poetic look into the life of Flitcroft, portrayed by the brilliant Mark Rylance in his best performance to date. Drawing on Roberts ability to weave comedy and tragedy, Rylance stuns with lines that truly make you believe you are watching Flitcroft’s story play out in real-time, as though his legacy follows through to this wonderous dramatisation.
Sports biopic have increased in popularity over the past decade, with stories of fast-paced sports like football, motorsport or athletics getting their fair share of screenplays, yet golf is a narrative that hasn’t quite made the cut. That’s where The Phantom of the Open steps in. A biopic in its simplest form, with inspiration taken directly from Flitcrofts life, The Phantom of the Open engages the audience in an unusually exciting tale about the power of the underdog in sport. It highlights life away from the competition and behind the lens, drawing on Flitcrofts upbringing and the highs and lows of family life.
Living as a crane operator in working-class Barrow-in-Furness, Flitcroft can feel his life stagnating, and isn’t the only one who notices this. His caring and hope-fuelled wife Jean, played by Sally Hawkins, has always been a dreamer and doesn’t understand why her husband doesn’t bother to give himself the chance to make something of himself. This is where Flintcroft’s story beings, as Jean encourages her husband to push himself to do something he loves, even if what that is isn’t immediately apparent.
Costume is everything in The Phantom of the Open, as Flitcroft’s scraggy golfing clothes and dishevelled hair set him apart from those around him.
It is both tragic and warming that Flitcroft picks golf as his new life aspiration, as whilst everyone around him knows he isn’t exactly going to become a champion overnight, his naive nature is what draws in fans. Costume is everything in The Phantom of the Open, as Flitcroft’s scraggy golfing clothes and dishevelled hair set him apart from those around him. Whilst the Open means the world to Flitcroft, his appearance to others is but a joke or a prank. His brightly coloured argyle sweater, stolen as unknown to him by a mate at the scrapyard, is a signifier for his comedic appearance—yet to Flitcroft makes him feel as though he truly belongs to the sport.
A warming reminder of his passion and courage, we are drawn to support him like onlookers of the game. Where judges and sport stars mock Flitcroft, the on-screen audience are intrigued by his positivity and quirks. Found footage provides real evidence of his stint as a media sensation, rounding off the film in a brilliant manner as we meet the real Maurice Flitcroft. “Practice is the road to perfection”: Flitcroft’s hope is an inspiration to all who watch.
The Verdict
The Phantom of the Open is Craig Roberts doing what he does best, breaking hearts and causing laughs. Where some films are unable to blend melancholy with joy, The Phantom of the Open straddles our emotions, successfully captivating us with Flitcroft’s unexpectedly heartwarming tale. Roberts’ take on the previously untold true story maintains its connection even after the credits have finished rolling, as we are left wanting to understand more about the man that is Maurice Flitcroft.
Words by Katie Evans
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