Seve: The Movie

The love of the golf fell upon the young, optimistic heart of Seve Ballesteros of Pedrena, Spain, signaling the start of a long affair of greatness. As a child prodigy, knowing with full confidence that he was going to be a champion someday, Ballesteros grew into one of the most beloved and inspirational European professional golfers of all time. Seve the Movie beautifully follows Ballesteros' path from skipping school to hit golf balls on the beach near his home, to traveling across the world for golf tournaments, winning trophies. Director John-Paul Davidson's creative direction is a driving force behind the tribute to the legend, as well as the ability to capture the real personality of Ballesteros through the young actor, Jose Luis Gutierrez, who portrays young Ballesteros in the film. Seve the Movie explores the challenges that Ballesteros was faced with in pursuit of his dream, as well as allowing the viewer to peek inside his genius mind behind golf technique. When talking about Ballesteros, a speaker in the film simply says, "He strode like a champion." After seeing Ballesteros' charisma and charm played out in the biopic, I know that statement is spot-on. In all, Seve the Movie informs, motivates, and most importantly, reminds the audience of this man's dedication to the sport he loved.

I hardly ever give things 10 out of 10, bar Casablanca and Seven, but this film certainly achieves what it sets out to: an enthusiastically-told tribute to what must've been an amazing man. Slightly saccharine flashbacks to his childhood are offset by jaw-dropping footage, interesting interviews and an ending which keeps picking up in emotive punch.

Self-indulgence, however, is never a problem (despite a near two-hour running time) as the flashbacks actually end up serving the documentary footage well (the young Seve is a revelation, albeit in a highly specialised role) while the real Seve and his contemporaries add more gravitas, relevance, humour and pathos to the making of this great sportsman.

Rounded of with a thumping if samey score, this gets top marks for innovation. One or two less for overall enjoyment perhaps, but that's merely the limit of the story's limited confines. Different, dazzling in places, but they make the best of what's available. And no-one should be penalised for that.

Seve: The Movie succeeds in creating a tribute to the great Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros which both acts as documentary and a universal, engaging story of passion and perseverance. A mixture of conventional, archive-based documentary and dramatized biopic – Director John-Paul Davidson does a masterful job of fleshing out the past of young Ballesteros. Child actor Jose Luis Gutierrez convincingly takes on this role. While lesser films would have delved into melodrama, Seve: The Movie shows the failures as well as the triumphs to give a sense of realism to the making of one of golf's legends. Flitting between footage of its subject's triumphs at the British Open and US Masters, and a reenactment of his impoverished childhood as a farmer's son in Spain, the charismatic figure of Ballesteros shines through. Filled with passion, charm, and occasional humor, the film will have you cheering on this golfing pro whether you are familiar with him at the onset of the movie or not.

Seve the Movie is a smart and unconventional biopic that is as every bit entertaining as it is informative. Director John-Paul Davidson's fourth feature is centered on Seve Ballesteros, who shines throughout his pre-teens to adulthood as Spain's finest golfer. Newcomer José Luis Gutiérrez does an exceptional job portraying young Seve as he faces odds at home, school, and his caddy job at the golf course his brother works at. Throughout the film, there are cuts to documentary footage that make it clear Seve accomplishes his aspiration to be a pro-golfer. Despite knowing the outcome of Seve's career, the film does a great job keeping the audience's attention and emotions invested in young Seve. Furthermore, the cinematography fully realizes the setting of 1970s Spain. Seve the Movie tells Seve Ballesteros' life story in a way that is engaging and inspiring.

Seve the Movie was about professional golfer, Seve Ballesteros. The film recounted his early life, showing how became interested in golfing growing up in Spain. It shows the struggles Ballesteros faced while growing up on a farm and having to forgo his love of playing the game in order to further his education. Jose Luis Gutierrez plays a young Seve, and he was absolutely incredible in this role. Interspersed throughout the recreated parts of Ballesteros' story is archival footage of him playing in various tournaments such as the Masters and the PGA European Tour. There were also interviews, which I found helped the story along, as he talked about the moments from his childhood that the movie had just recounted in the previous scene. I have never before been interested in the game of golf, but Seve's story was so incredible and so inspirational that I might have to try to participate and maybe even watch a few tournaments. This movie is a must-see for everyone, but particularly if you love the sport.