Bobby Jones - Stroke Of Genius Review
by Susan Granger (ssg722 AT aol DOT com)May 4th, 2004
Susan Granger's review of "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius" (Film Foundry) Most recently seen as Jesus in Mel Gibson's highly controversial "The Passion of the Christ," actor Jim Caviezel moves into more tranquil territory playing legendary golfer Bobby Jones.
More suitable for TV's Biography channel or an inspirational Movie-of-the-Week than a theatrical release, the uplifting story chronicles how Jones won 13 major titles, including the Grand Slam of Golf - the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Open, the British Amateur and the British Open - in 1930, before retiring at the age of 28. Jones is introduced as a sickly six year-old (played by Devon Gearhart) whose gift for the game allowed him to compete in national tournaments as a teenager (played by Thomas Lewis), the "Dixie Whiz Kid." Reaching manhood, Jones (played by Jim Caviezel), earnestly earned a law degree but, primarily, marketed the Bobby Jones image.
Problem is: neither Caviezel nor co-writer/director Rowdy Herrington ("Road House") delve beneath the surface to illuminate the subject. Obviously, Bobby Jones must have been a highly motivated perfectionist, an amateur athlete who coped not only with physical and emotional pain but also an explosive temper. But, as shown here, he remains a dour enigma - and not even a very interesting one - since his aloof, sullen character never undergoes an emotional catharsis.
In supporting roles, Claire Forlani plays Jones' long-suffering wife, Jeremy Northam is his flamboyant friend and rival Walter Hagen, while Malcolm McDowell is his traveling companion and fawning biographer, Atlanta sports-writer O.B. Keeler. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Bobby Jones: Stoke of Genius" is a stolid, sluggish 3. While Bobby Jones was known as "the best golfer in the world," this leisurely episodic, uneven biopic veers too far off the course.
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