Critics widely praised Rylance’s "lovable awkwardness" and the film's heartwarming, "twee" British humor, comparing it to other underdog stories like Eddie the Eagle . It currently holds an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes . Production Credits Director: Craig Roberts
The film follows Maurice (played by ) as he faces potential redundancy at the Vickers shipyard. After watching golf on television and being captivated by the sport’s prestigious image and prize money, he decides—with the unwavering support of his wife, Jean ( Sally Hawkins ) —to enter the British Open. The Phantom of the Open (2022)
Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, Rhys Ifans, Jake Davies, and Christian and Jonah Lees After watching golf on television and being captivated
Simon Farnaby (adapted from his own 2010 biography of Flitcroft) While the golfing establishment is appalled
Lacking a club membership or handicap, he simply checks the "professional" box on his application form and is remarkably accepted into the qualifying rounds. His performance is historic for all the wrong reasons: he shoots a 121, which is and the worst score in the tournament's history. While the golfing establishment is appalled, Flitcroft’s persistence and subsequent attempts to re-enter under increasingly absurd aliases like "Arnold Palmtree" and "Gene Paycheki" make him a beloved figure for the public. Themes and Reception