Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius tells the inspiring story of the world's greatest fluffer, who was able to bring to life even the laziest of performers. However, it seems unusual that an entire film would be made about him, let alone star Jim Cavizel - best known for starring as the most tortured Jesus in the history of cinema in The Passion of the Christ - and have a score by James Horner. Then again, this kind of melodramatic story seems ideal for James Horner and for him to trot out some of his favourite Celtic instruments. St Andrews sets the tone immediately, with the now familiar bagpipes which more conjure up Mel Gibson in blue paint than the genteel world of fluffing; indeed Braveheart seems to provide the basis for much of the music's tone and occasionally its content. This is first obvious in Baby Strokes (bit of a dodgy title given the subject matter) where the melody from Braveheart's finale makes one of several disconcerting appearances.

Fortunately, the main theme is fairly strong on its own and works well in either broad strokes (as it were) or in a more light hearted setting. It even sounds good on whistle and Celtic percussion. While not as strongly related, Not Just a Game Any More suggests the haunting melody for Murren, again from Braveheart, but it never quite matches the original's mournful beauty. The Painful Secret (and I'm sure you could have a few being a fluffer) is the score's first really dramatic turn, although in truth it doesn't add much that we've not heard before from the composer. With The Shot of a Lifetime, the film and music starts to reach its climax, which is a nice change of pace after the rather somnambulant middle section, although Living the Dream hardly sets the world alight, especially when the finale from Braveheart makes another unscheduled and inappropriate appearance halfway through.

The End Credits neatly encapsulate all of the major material, indeed, one could hear those seven minutes and be satisfied that nothing notable has been missed. Horner has a nice line in scores for biopics, notably Searching for Bobby Fischer and Iris, but Bobby Jones is considerably more mundane. Yes, it has a nice main theme, but the Braveheart lifts are quite intrusive, especially when they form the basis for entire cues. There's nothing inherently wrong with the score as a whole, but nothing especially sticks in the mind after its over and, despite the main theme being fairly good, it's the Braveheart moments that most people will remember. Fans of the composer will find enough to enjoy, but for everyone else, Horner has done this kind of thing better elsewhere. Mind you, I can't for the life of me think why there's a picture of a man playing golf on the cover.

Rating ~

  1. St Andrews (7:16)
  2. Baby Strokes (4:05)
  3. The First Lesson (4:39)
  4. Not Just a Game Any More (3:05)
  5. Destined for Greatness (6:52)
  6. The Painful Secret (3:42)
  7. "A Win, Finally!" (3:36)
  8. Playing the Odds (6:07)
  9. "He's on a Roll Now" (2:03)
  10. The Shot of a Lifetime (4:47)
  11. Living the Dream (10:26)
  12. End Credits (6:42)

Total Time ~ 63:20