Tommy's Honour (2017)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Simply A Masterpiece

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Surprised that I enjoyed this film a lot, as was not expecting the story to be enthralling as it was.Based on the true story of the father and son who basically founded the professional game of golf enjoyed by millions today.Peter Mullan as always gives a good performance, but the real star is Jack Lowden as the son. His star is ascending

Tommy Morris was one of the greatest golfers of all-time. Less than a month ago, when Jordan Spieth won the 2017 Open Championship aka British Open (four days before his birthday) he became only the second golfer - after Jack Nicklaus - to win 3 different Majors before the age of 24, which is quite an accomplishment, of course.But Tommy Morris won the Open Championship 4 times before he turned 21, the first when he was just 17 years of age and still holds this record as the youngest Major winner. However, Morris didn't win "different majors"; that's because the second Major (the U.S. Open) wasn't established until 23 years after Morris won his fourth Open, twenty years after his premature death in 1875. Despite this, there aren't 20 golfers in the sport's long history that have won more Major Championships than Morris even though there have been 3 to win every year since 1916, and 4 since 1934 when the Masters was established.Tommy's Honour is about Young Tom 'Tommy' Morris (played by Jack Lowden) and his father Old Tom Morris (Peter Mullan), who won four Open Championships himself and was also a greens-keeper, course designer and early innovator the game.Unfortunately, director Jason Connery and editor John Scott must have felt obligated to include every aspect of their fascinating story in the movie because it covers a lot of ground regarding social issues while repeating many of the golf elements without giving enough emotional weight to either's triumphs or struggles. The closest it comes are in the moments between Young and Old Tom.Sam Neill plays a club gentleman who resists Tommy's efforts to rise above his station as a caddy. Ophelia Lovibond plays Tommy's love interest come wife, who died along with their child during a difficult labor just four months before he passed on Christmas Day, 1875.Still, for golf enthusiasts it gives glimpses and insight into the realities and challenges of the game's early years, and it caused this reviewer to learn through research the accomplishments of its titled golfer.

It's always a good thing when a movie takes on a historical figure or incident and attempts to bring it to life on film. Not only does it give some of us a chance to learn about something that happened in the past it allows us to relive it the best we can in the here and now. In some cases it allows that at a safe distance (any war film) and in others it allows us a more intimate encounter. That intimate encounter is what is at the heart of TOMMY'S HONOUR.While some might say golf was invented in China in the 1200s, most recognize the game as taking hold in Scotland around 1457. The game became more popular in the seventeenth century but it was in the late 1800s that it took off. The most famous course was in St. Andrews and was taken care of by Tom Morris starting in 1865. None of that is provided in the film but it made me interested enough to look it up.That's because the film is about both Tom Morris (Peter Mullen) and his son, Tommy (Jack Lowden). As the film opens Tommy has come into his owns as a golfer, matching and beating the abilities of his father. Tom has long been the groundskeeper by this time and makes a living by taking care of the course, running the shop that makes the clubs and balls and on the side playing as what goes for a pro at the time. What that involved then was to play for the wealthy club members as their representative and if you won they then determined what to give you in return.Tommy is not content to live out his life like his father. He has no interest in remaining at St. Andrew and dreams of the day when he will make a living playing golf for himself and not at the whim of an English gentleman. But times then were not like now and he's told more than once to remember his station in life and that he'll never rise above it. At the same time no one can question his skill and ability.As Tommy begins his ascendance on the links he meets a woman working as a waitress. Meg Drinnen (Ophelia Lovibond) catches his eye but she's much older than him. She also has a secret she keeps to herself that is revealed in time. The two fall in love and begin seeing one another. Her secret is revealed and rather than abandon her, the pair marry.Tommy's headstrong attitude can only allow him to go so far. He clashes often with his father about his future and about taking care of his family, both the one he intends to create as well as the one he comes from. The film focuses on all aspects of his life but revolves mostly around three items: his golfing ability, his relationship with his father and his wife. All three are tied together in an interesting tale that holds your interest from start to finish.Some may watch the game of golf and find it incredibly boring. If you've ever played golf you realize the skill that it actually takes to do so. Watching the games taking place in this film is more intriguing than most games today. In part that's because we begin to care about the characters involved. But the way the film is written, shot and directed makes it more interesting as well. Jason Connery (son of Sean) has done a fantastic job of capturing the suspense that each stroke creates as games are played with only one stroke determining the winner or loser.Going into this film I had no idea who Tom or Tommy Morris was. After watching it I found them to be incredibly sympathetic men who achieved greatness on their own terms in a time when the distinctions between classes was so heavy it burdened those with a dream. There are no lasers, no guns and no chase scenes in this film and yet it will hold your attention till the end credits.I've noted the skills of those behind the camera but those in front do a great service to the story as well. As Old Tom, Mullen speaks only when necessary and uses his skills as an actor to portray the emotions and thoughts of his character instead, doing an amazing job. Lowden is more in your face as Tommy, displaying the exuberance of youth and the dire consequences it can bring. And Lovibond (recently seen on the TV series ELEMENTARY) shows that she is capable of matching the abilities of her co-stars. Here's hoping we see more from all three.This is not a movie that will catch the eye of most who visit a nearby Redbox looking for a movie to rent. It won't be hyped and it won't be one that most will have heard of. That's a shame because it is one worth making the effort to watch, a dramatic tale of a young man who actually lived and is not quite as well remembered as he should be. What more can someone ask for in a movie based on history that tells his tale? This one is definitely worth watching.

Jason Connery (Sean's son) directs this story about old Tom Morris and his son Tommy written by Pamela Martin from the book by Kevin Cook. It's a bit surprising that the story focuses as much or more on the melodrama and personal story of the younger Tommy than the historical influences, but there is links action to give us a feel for the times.Jack Lowden and his dimples portray Tommy, while Ophelia Lovibond plays his love interest Meg. Their relationship drives the story, and we are reminded that small-minded people were every bit as prevalent 140 years ago as they are now. Tommy's mother, their community, and even the minister of the Church pass harsh judgment on Meg and her unfortunate past. Combine that with the element of "Gentlemen", which are anything but, and we get an understanding of how Tommy's actions changed not just the game of golf, but also influenced the softening of the class difference. His push to bring respect and fairness to professional golfers erased the similarities with how race horses and golfers were treated the same from a wagering perspective.This was the time of the original "13 Rules of Golf", and when rowdy crowd hovered right next to the golfers as they played. Other than the closing credit graphics, Old Tom Morris (Peter Mullan) isn't really given his due as a course designer, but this is really the story of his son, and though the film is a bit too long, it's a story that deserves to be told.