Written and directed by Edward Burns, “Finnegan’s Foursome” is a laid back, feel good film centered around a golf-obsessed family.
After their father passes away, two rival brothers (Burns, Brian d’Arcy James) and their adult children (Brian Muller, Erica Hernandez) head to Ireland to carry out his final wish: scattering his ashes at the coastal golf courses that meant the most to him. Along the way, old grudges bubble back to the surface, plenty of trash talk gets thrown around, and the family slowly starts to find common ground again.
Burns plays Freddy, the younger son still carrying around years of resentment toward his seemingly favored older brother. Unfortunately, Burns ends up being the film’s weakest link. His performance often feels strained, and Freddy quickly becomes the most irritating character in the group. The rest of the cast is more likable, but none of the characters are especially memorable or feel like people you’d want to spend much time with outside of this story. Still, there’s a warmth to the movie that makes it pleasant company, even when the narrative is following a very familiar path.
And familiar is the key word here. There are absolutely zero surprises, and you can predict nearly every character arc and emotional payoff long before they happen. Because the destination is so obvious, some of the constant bickering and endless golf conversations start to wear thin. The back half of the film especially settles into a repetitive rhythm of characters playing golf, reminiscing about Grandpa, and debating what he would or wouldn’t have wanted. It gets tiring.
This also feels very much like a movie made by golfers for golfers. If you love the game, you’ll probably appreciate the way it celebrates golf’s traditions, family connections, and unique culture. The gorgeous Irish scenery and the coastal golf courses are stunning, and the film does a nice job capturing why people fall in love with both Ireland and the game of golf. But if you don’t understand or care much about the sport, there’s a good chance you’ll find large stretches of the film pretty boring.
Burns does a decent job blending family drama with sports movie traditions in a way that doesn’t totally alienate the audience. Through friendly rivalries, old memories, and spinning yarns in the local pub, the film explores how families hold onto love long after someone is gone. There’s nothing challenging or groundbreaking here, but it’s easy to watch and occasionally charming.
“Finnegan’s Foursome” isn’t one of the great sports movies, but it’s good enough. Fans of golf will likely find a lot to enjoy in its affection for the game and its family-centered message. Everyone else may find themselves wishing the round moved a little faster.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 