Revered stage and screen actor Mark Rylance may have an Oscar to his name, but he's never appeared in a golf movie – until now. The star of Bridge of Spies and The B.F.G. tees off in The Phantom of the Open, a quintessential British underdog comedy-drama in the vein of Eddie the Eagle. Lucky Cineworld Unlimited members get to watch the movie in advance of its nationwide release date, so don't pass up the chance to see the versatile Rylance back on the big screen.
Rylance plays real-life figure Maurice Flitcroft in a film that proves truth really is stranger than fiction. A seemingly unassuming dockyard worker from Barrow-in-Furness, Flitcroft has always struggled to find a direction in life, until he's inspired to blag his way into the 1976 British Open Golf Championship. Astonishingly, he makes the grade, and despite his lack of skill (in truth, he possesses none whatsoever), he manages to inspire those around him, including his own family, with his sheer tenacity.
Directed by Submarine star Craig Roberts, the film is adapted by Paddington's Simon Farnaby from his own book The Phantom of the Open: Maurice Flitcroft, The World's Worst Golfer. The movie also showcases an excellent supporting cast including Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins as Maurice's devoted wife and Rhys Ifans as a snooty member of the golfing establishment. Check out the trailer below, and just see whether the presence of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel on the soundtrack lifts your spirits.
The Phantom of the Open has been described as a crowd-pleasing gem. Screen Daily says the combination of Rylance and Hawkins "tugs at every available heartstring", so you don't want to miss out.
Click here to book your tickets for the Cineworld Unlimited screening of The Phantom of the Open. The movie screens in advance on 7th March. If you can't bear the thought of missing out on the latest previews, sign up to Cineworld Unlimited today.
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