The rising skills of a young golfer changes his future outlook for him and his family, in Tommy’s Honour. Set against the early days of the sport and stunning landscape of Scotland, the movie is based on the intimate and powerfully moving true story of the challenging relationship between “Old” Tom Morris (Peter Mullan) and “Young” Tommy Morris (Jack Lowden) , the dynamic father-son team who ushered in the modern game of golf. As their fame grew exponentially, Tom and Tommy, Scotland’s Golf Royalty, were touched by drama and personal tragedy. At first matching his father’s success, Tommy’s talent and fame grew to outshine his father’s accomplishments as founder of the Open Championship in 1860, his stellar playing record, and his reputation as the local caddie master, greenskeeper and club & ball maker. In contrast to his public persona, Tommy’s inner turmoil ultimately led him to rebel against the aristocracy who gave him opportunity, led by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews chief Alexander Boothby (Sam Neill), and the parents who shunned his passionate relationship with his girlfriend-then-wife Meg Drinnen (Ophelia Lovibond). Tommy’s Honour is directed by Jason Connery, and is rated PG for thematic elements, some suggestive material, language and smoking.

Tommy’s Honour finds itself playing from behind for a majority of the film, and that has a lot to do with a mistiming of momentum for the first forty-five minutes of the film that subdues this sports biopic at nearly every turn. There’s very little drama or conflict to keep the audience engaged through some very dry and bland material along the way, lacking the compelling nature that leads the audience to understand what’s special about this particular character. The story of young Tommy Morris is one that golf enthusiasts everywhere will have no problem dedicating nearly two hours of their time to. Through a brief career, Tommy became one of the very best skill and efficiency golfers of all time, a feat that brought him fame in his tiny village. But what will enchant the sports crowds will equally hinder the non-sports crowds who are just looking for an entertaining feature. It eventually comes during a third act that is among the very best of the year, but more time could’ve been planned supporting the first two acts that practically had me falling out of my chair in boredom.

I was slightly disappointed to find out that most of the Robin Hood of golf storyline that the trailers so prominently featured is just a speck on the fender of an otherwise bigger picture involving Tommy’s relationship to his significant other, Meg. I felt that both subplots aren’t given nearly enough time to command the attention of the audience, lacking a distinct direction especially during the second act that is grasping at straws. The taking from the rich and giving to the poor storyline is one that has been done, but you have rarely seen it in the sports world, and I thought that there was something interesting about how these golfers were like the stock market of the 19th century, playing the roles of betting horses for the upper class gentlemen who had the funds to throwaway at their wins or losses. This plot takes shape early on, and then drops with very little backlash from it. This leads to a big waste in the role of Sam Neill as the royal who oversees betting operations on the golf course. The relationship aspect rarely gave me any kind of passion or fire, often making this aspect feel spoon-fed to the importance of the audience. I get that the relationship plays into the rhythmic third act, but were simply never given a reason to care for these two young kids who have the chemistry of two mules. I would’ve been more entertained with the sports in sports biopic being engaged upon, and unfortunately that lack anything intriguing served as a test of patience over the first forty-five minute hump of this movie.

Then it happened; the third act that feels like the producers finally decided that it’s time we give the audience some measure of dramatic depth, and boy does it ever. After a painful surprise drains Tommy of everything that he knows and loves, he is forced into the biggest challenge of his life against a British pro who seems to have his number. The way that the conflict is played during this golf game is masterful because it doesn’t fall under the back-and-forth cliches of most golf movies. Tommy is legitimately at a loss for words during most of it, and those of us like me who don’t know his story will find themselves on the edge of their seats for this putt for power. The way the film ends plays even more into the hands of Morris’s legacy, signing off on some final shots that had me fighting back tears. My rainbow finally came after being patient for what felt like ages, and this last hour of the movie is simply too compassionate not to partake in.

The visuals and backdrops are gorgeous, illustrating a finer side to the game of golf that has rarely been seen in all of the glossy depictions in other films. Since this does take place in the 1800’s the film accurately depicts the aspects to the game that refined golfers today will never know. There’s the shaggy grass that feels like it takes the ball on directional detours, the flimsy clubs that look like they could break at the most violent of swings, and of course the year-round playing conditions that relayed the importance of this business that never stopped. The final showdown takes place during a snowstorm, and it’s one of those well established scenes in movies where you can feel the cold temperatures the longer that the game plays on. It certainly makes you look and laugh at the spoiled conditions that make up a professional course today. The wardrobe is also on point, detailing the free-flowing gowns and five piece suits that were all the craze in Ireland during the day. This aspect of the movie made it very easy to immerse myself into this time and place, and there’s never an attention to detail spared when it comes to the real meat in this budget.

There’s not a lot of breakout in the performances, but a couple of supporting actors make the most of their limited run. Peter Mullan was perhaps my favorite character of the film as Old Tom, Tommy’s professional caddy father. In his character, we meet a weathered man who never quite received the same chances of opportunity that his son now basks in, but there’s never a taste of jealousy or anger in his delivery. Thankfully, his moment to shine does eventually come, and I will leave it at that. Also, Tommy’s Mother (Played by Therese Bradley) soaks up the scenes that she inhabits with some very powerful words and tear-flowing capabilities that plays into the professionalism that she has undertook for over forty films on her resume. The two romantic leads never gave me much when they’re on screen together. Jack Lowden is fine alone, especially during the third act when the odds are stacked against him for the first time. But when these two are together they lack a strong sense of sensuality to relay their relationship, and more times than not I saw them more as brother and sister.

As far as sports biopics go, Tommy’s Honour settles for bogey when other more tightly-paced and focused dramas take a birdie. Golf enthusiasts who have come to know and love this story will be entranced in Tommy’s growing popularity, but for everyone else this is an endurance test until the final act that surprisingly did justify the wait. Jason Connery has enough heart and shining examples for his honor and respect for the historical figure, but could use a tighter grip on the club when swinging into the winds of entertainment value.

6/10