Even folks who find watching golf boring will enjoy "The Phantom of the Open," a warm-hearted, laugh-out-loud comedy about Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance), the man who holds the record for the worst score (121) in the 1976 British Open. Astonishingly, it was Flitcroft's first full round of golf. How this transpired — and the impact of this dubious achievement — forms the basis of this charming film, which is based on a true story.
Directed by Craig Roberts, from a script by Simon Farnaby ("Paddington 2") — who adapted the book he cowrote with Scott Murray — this tale of a golfing legend mixes kitchen sink realism with flights of fancy. Flitcroft, who lived in Barrow-in-Furness, had a childhood that held some promise when he was sent to live with others during the war. However, he ended up working in the Vickers shipyard, like his father. It was at the yards where he met his wife, Jean (Sally Hawkins), an unwed mother. He cheerfully raises her son Michael (Jake Davies), and the couple later had twins, Gene (Christian Lees) and James (Jonas Lees).
