Based on the true story of amateur golfer Maurice Flitcroft (Sir Mark Rylance) who achieves his late-in-life goal of participating in the British Open Golf Championship, much to the ire of the staid golfing community.

For those seeking a feel-good film of immense optimism and possibility, there’s no better watch this year than The Phantom of the Open. Director Craig Roberts brings to life the truly stranger than fiction story of dock labourer turned golfer Maurice Flitcroft, who after being let go from his local shipyard decided to become a professional golfer. Competing in the 1976 British Golf Open after ticking a box calling himself a professional, Flitcroft secured the worst ever golfing score recorded in a professional match with a 49-over-par 121. And from there it’s a riot of laughs, as Flitcroft decides to keep playing and goes to extreme lengths to make his dreams of professional golf a reality.

Cast as Flitcroft is the one and only Sir Mark Rylance, and it’s a terrific part for Rylance to play. Known as an actor’s actor, and one of the best talents in the business, Rylance gives Flitcroft a boundless enthusiasm as a happy-go-lucky hoaxer who won’t let a few rules get in his way of golfing fame and fortune. What follows is a grand adventure as Flitcroft continues to find every way possible to compete on the professional circuit, all while trying to skirt the law and the very unimpressed directors who are trying to bar him. Experiencing ups and downs, Rylance never loses his enthusiasm as Flitcroft, and he’s just a solid good sort whose willing to have a go and make his dreams come true.

The strangeness, comedy and sheer delight of The Phantom of the Open make this film incredibly enjoyable to watch, and audience’s will leave the cinema with a smile on their faces after seeing this one. Along with his unmatched sporting prowess, or lack thereof, The Phantom of the Open packs in a detailed and lively family drama and while there’s plenty of comedy present in the story it’s not all smooth sailing. It’s never easy to follow your dreams, but Rylance’s Maurice finds considerable support from his doting wife Jean, played by the wonderful Sally Hawkins, and she shares a wonderful chemistry with Rylance.

The Phantom of the Open is a complete gem of a movie, and audiences are sure to be left happy after this watch. It’s a thoroughly astounding story and will give you a giggle while at the same time warming your heart.

Image: Universal Pictures

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Master filmmaker Christopher Nolan is returning to the big screen with the phenomenal true story of courage in the face of overwhelming odds with Dunkirk.

The new trailer has just been released, and is a completely mesmerising watch. Check it out below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

May 1940. The British Army and their Allies find themselves surrounded on the edge of the French Peninsula under threat of annihilation by the German Wehrmacht. With mounting casualties, a miraculous operation codenamed Dynamo is utilised and everything from warships to motorboats is used to get the troops back home safely.

Joining Nolan in this courageous story is a group of Britain’s best performers including Sir Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Sir Mark Rylance, James D’Arcy and Harry Styles.

Dunkirk will be released in cinemas on July 20 in New Zealand and Australia, and on July 21 in the US and UK.

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Cinema maestro Steven Spielberg brings to life the world of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book, The BFG, in his first-ever collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures. Spielberg has long been a director capable of producing magic on the silver screen, and it is fitting that he ‘s now worked for the most magical of all studios in Hollywood. Spielberg focuses on the fairytale aspects of Dahl’s famous tale, building a world that both children and adults will want to visit over and over again, while also injecting moments of absolute hilarity.

Perfectly cast is Spielberg’s former collaborator Mark Rylance as the titular BFG. Rylance truly captures the spirit of this beloved character with subtle character traits and mismatched speech. With emotions that lead from joy to misunderstanding, shyness and humour, Rylance crafts an almost grandfatherly figure as The BFG, who is also in desperate need of a friend and finds one in the precocious Sophie. The friendship that builds between these two is sweet and sincere, and is a testament to how we can overcome one another’s differences.

While Rylance brilliantly conveys his character through superb CGI work, it’s newcomer Ruby Barnhill who is really the star of the film, and an amazing talent to keep an eye on. It is hard for any performer to react to a green screen let alone someone as young as Barnhill, but this young talent’s realistic reaction to the giants around her is so convincing that audiences won’t fail to believe her for a moment. Her portrayal of Sophie channels curiosity, intelligence, feistiness, and ultimately kindness, as she comes to build a friendship with The BFG. We see big things ahead for this amazing young actress.

While the film’s character development and story are lead by the amazing performances of Rylance and Barnhill, special mention must be given to the wizards at Weta Workshop, who have expertly brought to life this whimsical world. The artistry is so superb that it is an easy place to want to disappear into, especially when The BFG and Sophie go dream hunting and enter a beautiful dimension filmed with sparkling colour.

The BFG is a grand achievement on Spielberg’s behalf, and whether old or young, audiences will get swept up in the magic of dream country, and the adventure that awaits.

Image source: Walt Disney Pictures. 

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