After reading a good book, you want the movie to evoke the same emotions as the book. However, as with most books-made-into-movies, Golf in the Kingdom did not live up to the task completely. Regardless, I gave the movie a solid 7 because it did capture the main theme of the book....life imitates golf where the golfer navigates the golf course much the same as we attempt to navigate life by measuring every step, gaining perspective and swinging away!
David O'Hara was great as Shivas Irons, mystical, introspective and possessive of that great Scottish accent. Mason Gamble was less impressive in his role as Michael Murphy most probably because he was directed to act this way. He was jumpy, almost nervous in his role as Murphy who in the book was much more confident and polished. For supposedly being a seasoned golfer he did several things in the beginning of the movie that I felt were unreal such as talking in someone's back-swing and boasting about his abilities to the starter. It made the movie feel a bit cheesy right out of the gate. It did get better however as the movie moved on. I could have envisioned a character more equal to Davis Love III in this role.
References to the traditions of golf and the local lore are what drew me into the movie as did the book. The scenery, lighting, and quality acting of the rest of the cast are reasons why I gave it a high rating. I love the game and most movies about golf's impact on life aka The Greatest Game Ever Played (Shia LaBeouf) and The Legend of Bagger Vance (Will Smith, Matt Damon). It's worth the watch much like Harvey Penick's Little Red Book is worth the read.
