at 20 year old and francis ouimet ( shia lebouf ) a his whole life ahead of him in a way . the son of an immigrant family living in the late 19th to early 20th century era united state and class be a very limiting fact of life . if one be bear poor and one stay poor while if one be bear into the bourgeoisie and one have a tiny bit of opportunity while if one be bear into the wealthy class and they essentially have it make in the shade . british gold champion harry vardon and francis golf idol ( play by the criminally underrated stephen dillane ) be the exception that prove the rule . bear and raise in a poor british family and his accomplished skill at golf allow him to rise from the dirty mess of the poor slum to the lush green of the english country club . he have not forget this life lesson . francis wish to follow in vardon footstep and similarly us his great skill at golf to get into the 1913 u open at age 20. but a tough course and formidable opponent ( include francis idol harry vardon ) be not all that francis must deal with a a less than understand father and cruel societal framework stand in his way of live his own dream . i know what you be think i think it too a walt disney produce film about the 1913 u open star the irritable shia labeouf hold the possibility of be entertain but it can not possibly be a great film . well and i be here to encourage you to think again . despite what it may look to some on paper and the great game ever play be one of the best sport film in creation . a with every great sport film and the great game ever play include many excite sport scene but it be not a film about golf it be a character center film about use one talent and follow one dream and and break out of class barrier . where the great game ever play work excellently a a themed sport film it also work just as well a a period film the film feature costume and set be the next best thing to actual time travel . the film also simply look great and virtually unknown music composer brian tyler set the film to a wonderful piece of music . the cast be great as well with a subtle but powerful stephen dillane a british golfing champion harry vardon and a hilarious stephen marcus a man man golfer ted ray and a hammy josh flitter a francis pre teenaged caddy eddie and and a surprisingly good shia labeouf in the lead role a francis . actor bill paxton ( apollo 13 and titanic ) turn director here for the second time ( direct a full length feature ) in the great game ever play . he produce a fine product incorporate plenty of heart and ingenuity and and an attention to detail in the making of the film .