When a filmmaker pours their heart into a project, it’s often a double-edged sword. On one hand, the passion is palpable; on the other, it can alienate anyone who doesn’t share that specific obsession. Edward Burns’ Finnegan’s Foursome is a prime example of this dynamic. Personally, I think what makes this film particularly fascinating is how it doubles as a love letter to golf and family—two subjects that, when combined, either resonate deeply or fall flat. If you’re not a golfer or a fan of Burns’ particular brand of storytelling, it’s easy to feel like an outsider watching a family reunion you weren’t invited to. But for those who align with Burns’ vision, it’s a cozy, if somewhat indulgent, two hours.
The Family That Golfs Together…
At its core, Finnegan’s Foursome is about the Finnegans, a family bound together by their love of golf and their complicated relationships. The patriarch, Jack (Ian McElhinney), is a former pro whose emotional range seems limited to the golf course. His sons, Teddy (Brian d’Arcy James) and Freddy (Burns), embody two extremes: Teddy is the laid-back, resigned loser, while Freddy is the perpetually resentful underdog. What many people don’t realize is that this dynamic—the father who communicates only through competition, the sons who can’t escape his shadow—is a microcosm of so many families. Golf here isn’t just a game; it’s a metaphor for the unspoken tensions and unmet needs that define their lives.
A Funeral, a Tournament, and a Lot of Green
The plot kicks into gear when Jack dies, leaving behind a peculiar final request: instead of a traditional funeral, he wants his ashes spread across four golf courses in Ireland during a family tournament. This premise is both quirky and poignant, but it also highlights the film’s biggest flaw. If you take a step back and think about it, the story is essentially an elaborate excuse for Burns and his cast to play golf in Ireland. And while the cinematography by Jeff Muhlstock is breathtaking—those coastal courses are practically characters themselves—the narrative often feels like an afterthought. The characters bicker, they golf, they reminisce, but rarely do they dig deeper than the surface. It’s as if Burns assumes the audience will be so enamored with the scenery and the game that they won’t notice the lack of emotional depth.
The Emotional Core (or Lack Thereof)
One thing that immediately stands out is Brian d’Arcy James’ performance as Teddy. He’s the film’s emotional anchor, delivering a relaxed yet nuanced portrayal of a man who’s learned to find peace in defeat. In contrast, Burns’ Freddy is grating—a character so consumed by resentment that it’s hard to root for him. From my perspective, this imbalance is emblematic of the film’s larger issue: it prioritizes its passion for golf over character development. The relationships feel sketched rather than fully realized, and the attempts at emotional catharsis fall short. It’s as if Burns is so focused on the game that he forgets to give us a reason to care about the players.
A Passion Project or a Vanity Piece?
What this film really suggests is that passion projects are a gamble. When they work, they’re magical; when they don’t, they feel self-indulgent. Finnegan’s Foursome leans heavily into the latter. At two hours, it’s overlong and meandering, with scenes that feel more like personal mementos than meaningful storytelling. A detail that I find especially interesting is how the film’s pacing mirrors a round of golf—slow, methodical, and occasionally frustrating. It’s clear that Burns loves every minute of it, but that love doesn’t always translate to the audience. If the film had been trimmed to 90 minutes, it might have felt more focused and engaging. Instead, it drags, leaving non-golfers and non-Burns enthusiasts checking their watches.
The Silver Linings
That said, there are moments of beauty here. Muhlstock’s cinematography is undeniably stunning, turning Ireland’s greens into a character in their own right. And Seamus Egan’s score adds a lively, Irish-inflected energy that keeps the film from feeling too stagnant. These elements elevate Finnegan’s Foursome from a mere vanity project to something more watchable, even if it’s not entirely successful. What makes this particularly fascinating is how the film’s strengths and weaknesses are so intertwined—the very things that make it feel personal also make it feel exclusionary.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Finnegan’s Foursome is a film that will divide audiences. If you’re a golfer or a fan of Edward Burns’ work, you’ll likely find it charming and heartfelt. If not, it might feel like a two-hour advertisement for Irish golf courses. Personally, I think the film’s biggest missed opportunity is its failure to explore the deeper themes it touches on—family legacy, unspoken resentment, the search for connection. Instead, it settles for surface-level drama and a lot of golf. It’s a passion project, no doubt, but one that feels more like a private indulgence than a shared experience. And that, I think, is both its charm and its downfall.
