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I like sports. More specifically, I like golf - enough to have had a couple of season passes back in the day when I actually had time available to devote to the game. I also like movies. On top of that, I like Jim Caviezel. So, a marriage of all three and the release of Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius was bound to entertain me.
The movie tells the story of Bobby Jones, a sickly young boy who, as a child, takes up the game of golf. With the encouragement of his family and some people who know the game and can see his raw talent, he goes one to become the greatest golfer the world has ever known. In the beginning, he suffers a series of humiliating defeats but, as he overcomes the pressure he feels to succeed, he dominates the game and becomes the first (and only) man to win the Grand Slam of golf (winning all four majors in the same year). Keep also in mind, that he also graduated from Georgia Tech with a mechanical engineering degree when he was only 18 years old. At 21, he went to Harvard College, earning an English degree and at 24, Jones completed one year of study at Emory University Law School in Atlanta before deciding to take the bar exam. After passing, he withdrew from law school and began practicing law at his father's firm. In short, the man was remarkable. And after all this, the guy ups and retires. Just like that. At the age of 28, after remaining an amateur and never making a dime off the sport, he retired to spend time with his wife. How romantic.
Before the release of "The Passion of The Christ", I knew that Jim Caviezel would be starring in a Bobby Jones biopic, and I was excited. I liked the guy, and he'd be bringing this character to life. Bobby Jones is one of those names I used to hear all the time - and I knew that his name was associated with greatness in the game of golf. But beyond that, I knew nothing. It was all just a history that I'd never learned. Kinda like Jake LaMotta - you may know the name, but you'll never really know the man unless you've picked up a book or you've seen "Raging Bull". Now, with the release of "Stroke of Genius", you can say the same about Bobby Jones.
On top of a decent movie chronicling the man's life, we get some special features that add to the legend and enhance the movie experience. First, a commentary featuring director Rowdy Herrington with Prof. Richard Brown. This one acts as an ongoing interview, with Brown posing questions about the film/story and Herrington providing answers against the backdrop of the movie itself. Given that this was the director's passion-project, he provides a lot of insight given his wealth of knowledge on his subject.
Under the special features section titled "The Legacy", you'll find a letter by Bobby Jones (narrated by John Imlay) talking about the sport, black and white footage from 1958 when Jones accepted St. Andrews' Freedom of the Burgh Award as well as a couple of of other features looking Jones' home town and course and the impression his continues to have.
Extras also include "Celebrating The Legend: The Making-of Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius" where we get interviews with the cast and crew about the filmmaking along with some black and white footage of the real Jones, some deleted scenes, bloopers, a photo gallery and some previews.
When this one was released, I was really hoping it would succeed. However, without the backing of a major studio release, it didn't become the success I (and I'm sure the filmmakers) had hoped. Now available on DVD, perhaps this movie can find the audience it deserves. With the holidays just around the corner, if someone in your family or someone you know is a golfer, this would be the perfect present.
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