Tommy's Honour

Tommy's Honour is a captivating period drama released in the year 2016, directed by Jason Connery, featuring renowned actors like Peter Mullan, Jack Lowden, and Benjamin Wainwright in pivotal roles. The film artfully portrays the dynamic and often tense relationship between father and son, exploring the themes of familial duty, individual ambition, and the quintessential spirit of the human drive to succeed.

Set against the intriguing backdrop of early professional sports, the movie centres on the real-life account of the pioneering Scottish golfing champions, "Old" Tom Morris (Peter Mullan) and his son "Young" Tommy Morris (Jack Lowden). A dramatic tale of love, honour, and a distinctly modern sports marketing strategy unfolds amidst the beautiful settings of 19th century St. Andrews, Scotland, the birthplace of golf.

Old Tom Morris is conferred with the title of 'world’s first green-keeper’ at St. Andrews, and draws acclaim for designing 12 fairways, including the first 18-hole course. Thus, he earns his living maintaining the greens, organizing matches, and training the next generation of players including his gifted son, Tommy. Tommy's prodigious talent overshadows that of his father and generates widespread acclaim. However, his talent comes with a price - the struggle between familial expectations, societal norms, and a passionate pursuit of individual ambition.

Peter Mullan brilliantly portrays the aged and wise Old Tom, who finds his stature threatened and control subtly slipping from his fingers as his son surpasses him, both in terms of popularity and skill. Mullan effortlessly displays a range of emotions, from stern authority to tender fatherly love, creating a memorable character for viewers to relate to.

Young Tommy, portrayed by Jack Lowden, is a character study in youthful impressiveness, fiery defiance, and deep-rooted idealism. Lowden magnificently presents the persona of a youngster, eager to break free from the shackles of norms and traditions. Benjamin Wainwright also shines in his role, providing a strong supporting performance.

The film also highlights the class tensions of the time, drawing a nuanced picture of the societal structure and providing a greater context to the triumphs and ordeals faced by Tommy and his father. As golf moves from a pastime of gentlemen to a professional sport open to working-class men, the discrepancies between the aristocrats who control the game's wealth and the commoners who play for their enjoyment form the crux of the narrative.

Love forms another crucial aspect of the storyline, as Tommy falls for a woman beyond his class. The romance provides emotional depth to Tommy's character, further complicating his familial and societal dilemmas, giving the viewers a glimpse into the man behind the golfing legend.

The film wonderfully portrays the age-old 'Father-Son' relationship with numerous tender moments, brewing conflicts, and emotional tensities, set to the thematic landscapes of golf courses and Scottish towns. Its glory lies in the way it juxtaposes the professional and personal lives of two men bound by blood yet divided by ideas.

In essence, Tommy's Honour encapsulates the remarkable story of these golfing legends beautifully. Moreover, it delves deeper by examining their contribution to the game within the larger frame of the socio-economic and cultural contexts of the time. Compelling performances, coupled with well-crafted storytelling, make this film an engaging watch.

Visually, the movie is a treat, with stunning cinematographic capturing of the Scottish landscapes and vivid scenes from the 19th-century golfing tournaments. The director and his team of designers have done a wonderful job recreating the era, with attention to minor details, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

To sum up, Tommy's Honour is not just a film crafted for the lovers of golf but for anyone who appreciates human drama, raw emotion, and a bit of sporting history. It’s a poignant tale of passion, commitment, familial bonds and the noble game of golf that underscored the lives and era of Tom Morris and his son Tommy. This captivating movie serves as a befitting homage to these stalwarts of the game while enlightening the viewer about a significant albeit less-known chapter of golf's evolution.