8 MOVIE
REVIEWS
‘Greatest Game Ever Played’ right on par By JENNY STAR LOR Daily Titan Staff
From the studio that brought movie-watchers “Remember The Titans” and “Miracle” comes an inspirational story of a poor, working-class nobody who defies high-class society to become the first American golf hero in “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The movie, based on Mark Frost’s best-seller, the movie is set in rural New England, the movie begins in 1879 on the Isle of Jersey. In early morning, a little boy is awoken by noises of four gentlemen taking measurements to begin the development of a golf course on the site of their poor, illfated cottage. When asked what golf was, a gentleman dressed in all black hastily says, “Golf is a game played by gentlemen, not by the
likes of you.” The year is now 1900 and this little boy, Harry Vardon, is now a man (Stephen Dillane from “King Arthur”) and is the three-time British Open golf champion, the best golfer the world has ever known. In Brooklyn, Mass., Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf, of Disney show “Even Stevens”) is a poor, young caddy with a passion for the game of golf. As Ouimet grows up, so does his talent. Impressed by Ouimet’s talent, the man Ouimet caddy’s for presses the 20-year-old to participate in the National Amateur Championship. Faced with difficulties entering the tournament by the committee chiding Ouimet’s status and telling him that golf is “not for his kind,” Ouimet’s biggest challenge is convincing his disapproving father, Arthur (Canadian Elias Koteas) of
New movie full of ShenaniganZ taurant – employee or customer. And, of course, there is Monty’s exgirlfriend and enemy, Serena (Anna The callous customer who sends Faris), the bitch who can put Monty everything back, the people who ar- in his place. Dan ( David Koechrive five minutes until closing and ner) is the college dropout witherthe 5 percent tip a server smiled all ing away as a manager desperately night for, sound familiar to anyone seeking acceptance from his young who has worked in a restaurant. Di- employees. Lastly, every restaurector Rob McKittrick, who spent rant has a Naomi (Alanna Ubach), years as a server, set out to show the the bitter, alcoholic career-waitress world why servers deserve respect who hates her job and her life, but in his new movie.“Waiting” follows can plaster on a smile for a tip. Dean (Justin Long), who feels like Many of the scenes were inspired he’s wasting his life waiting tables by McKittrick’s real-life experiencat the local ShenaniganZrestaurant. es. After watching a rude woman “There’s some really gross stuff and her children harass his friend in there,” comedian Dane Cook and send their plates back, McKitsaid at a press junket last week. trick decided to get even and do un“Waiting” is filled with genital godly things to the foods. humor and the cast grew to love it. The film received an R-rating “I fought it for a while, but then I because of Andy Milonakis’ rap realized that penis jokes, as puerile and crotch shots and McKittrick and base, are funny,” Long said. fought the NPAA to give them an Anyone who has waited tables R. “Waiting” is not plot-driven, knows that every restaurant has but rather is a hilarious account of stereotypical servers, like Monty, the truisms and universal situations (Ryan Reynolds) the egotistical, that all servers hate, McKittrick funny, jerk whose goal is to sleep said. McKittrick’s inspiration came with every attractive girl at the res- from “Clerks.” It too focuses on character dialogue and is mostly shot in one location. He created ShenaniganZ to resemble T.G.I. Fridays, where he spent many shifts. Audience members, especially frustrated servers, will find “Waiting” grotesquely amusing, but will be a lesson to the stingy tippers watching. “WaitLIONS GATE FILMS ing” opens in theaters Alanna Ubach and David Koechner in ‘Waiting.’ Fri., Oct. 7. By JENNIFER BELLENDIR Daily Titan Staff
his talent. Finding his way to the 1913 U.S. Open Championship, Ouimet enlists the help of 10-yearold Eddie Lowery (newcomer to the big screen, Josh Flitter) as his caddy. Lowery’s feisty tongue and quirky golf rhymes gives Ouimet the courage and strength to compete face-to-face against his idol, Vardon. In an era where it was thought only gentlemen and high society were capable of playing golf, the movie shows how anyone with enough desire, drive and audacity is able to follow their dream and be great in what they do. LaBeouf truly shines and gives audience members a convincing adaptation of a man who refuses to give up on a dream. LaBeouf is the most recognizable face in the movie. The cast, while giving a superb perfor-
DISNEY ENTERPRISES
Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) and caddie Eddie Lowery (Josh Flitter) play a round of intense golf in a torrential downpour. mance, seems to fall in the shadows of LaBeouf’s amazing portrayal of Ouimet. With fantastic sound effects,
beautiful cinematography, and a praiseworthy theme, “The Greatest Game Ever Played” truly seems to be the greatest game ever played.
