The Short Game movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Short Game

This sweet sports movie is being featured at:

Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival Public Screening
Friday, November 8th at 2:15pm at UUSD
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Public Screening
Monday, November 11th at 5:30pm at Gateway Cinema
*Please note, this screening will benefit the Ernie Els Foundation

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 33 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

Box of golf balls: https://amzn.to/3YOGgE6

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about a teenager who is trying to earn a college golf scholarship, but his preparation and game are affected by family pressures related to his younger, autistic brother.

The film was directed by Frank Sanza, who also co-wrote it with Larry Boatright, E. Joren Christensen, Florrie Laurence, and David Parks. The movie has been premiering at several film festivals around the country.

THINGS I LIKED:

The lead is played by Ben Krieger. I had never seen him in anything before. He’s an 18-year-old student at NYU and a singer/songwriter.
The autistic, younger brother is played beautifully by Owen Himfar.
Other cast members include Emma Parks, Tyler Lofton, Katherine Cunningham, Mackenzie Astin, Brandon Gomez, Brody Stowers, Alonzo Waller, and Glenn Morshower.
This doesn’t feel like a typical Christian movie, but there are moments when people talk about certain scriptures to give hope and direction to others.
I thought it was cute to tell the story through a teenager who was filming scenes in her documentary.
It’s so refreshing to see people do the right thing in movies.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Don’t get this film confused with the other one with the same name that came out in 2013. You can find it on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3NVfl3s
You can absolutely still enjoy this movie if you’re not Christian.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

A young boy has autism.
A family talks about struggles with finances.
No profanity except “a$$”.
A teenager yells at several people and is always anger.
Someone dies in the story.
Talk of cancer and chemotherapy
We see a girl’s mid-drift in a lot of clothes she wears.
We see acts of kindnes and the opposite

THEMES:

Perspective
Golf
Bullying
Friendship
Family support
Relationships
Gratitude
Character
“Hope and a future”

FUNNY LINES:

None worth noting, although there are amusing moments in the story.

INTERESTING LINES:

“You just don’t get it and until you do, you’re not winning anything.” – Tommy (Tyler Lofton)
“The most important things in life cannot be found in a trophy case.” – Principal Don Keller (Rocky D. Massey)
“This is your only opponenent.” Autistic brother pointing to his brain (Owen Himfar)
“I saw both skill and character out there today. We value how a man holds himself as importantly as he plays.” – University of Texas coach (Steve Mokate)