Genre: Sports/Biography
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Writer: Chad Taylor
Cast: Natalie Portman, Vince Vaughn, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh
Plot: By 1953, Babe Didrikson Zaharias (Natalie Portman) is already one of the most accomplished athletes of all time - male or female. At 21, she was one two gold medals as a runner in the Olympics. She then took up golf – then considered a male sport – and immediately caught on. She quickly became the most dominant female golfer, winning nine majors over the course of eleven years. Now 42, she has just been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.
Even before the diagnosis, this has been one of the more difficult times in Babe’s life - her athletic career dwindling down and marriage to wrestler George Zaharias (Vince Vaughn) on the rocks due to the athlete’s life on the road. George is a larger-than-life personality and his needs have often clashed with her Babe’s own hungry ego. Despite this, they remain in a supportive platonic relationship and have no plans on divorcing. When she reveals the news of their diagnosis, they share a cry together.
As she drops out of the golfing events in the immediate future, the media starts to become inquisitive about why Babe – the game’s biggest star – is absent. She and George debate whether or not she should reveal her diagnosis and whether or not they should get a second opinion. Although beloved by many, more vocal critics of her start to emerge during this leave of absence – mainly poking fun at her perceived manliness. During her absence, a new star emerges in Mickey Wright (Florence Pugh) – young and brash, deemed by commentators as the next Babe Zaharias.
George holds a press conference lashing out against her critics. At the press conference, Babe comes to the realization that she must accept her fate and makes her first public appearance since the diagnosis and announces her cancer. Inspired by her story, Babe is befriended by fellow golfer Betty Dodd (Saoirse Ronan) and they quickly become best friends. While Betty is not a top golfer like Babe, their personalities match well and Babe admires Betty’s youthful outlook on life – especially considering Babe’s dire circumstances. Feeling her pride is at stake, she wants to train Betty to become the face of women’s golf in the place of Mickey. Betty has a different outlook and suggests Babe herself train for a comeback – however much her body would allow.
Babe begins to train again. At her first tournament back, she has a major health setback and is forced to drop out. All the while, Mickey continues to find success on the tour. While naysayers suggest Babe take a break, she remains adamant that she will do this for as long as she can. Babe and Betty grow even closer - possibly as more than friends - and plan on her moving in full time with Babe and George. George is adamantly opposed to this – not for the romance itself but the optics of how it would make him look. Upon realizing that Betty is one of the few things on Earth that make his wife happy anymore, he accepts her request.
While Babe starts to regain her prowess on the course, she sets her eyes on the 1954 U.S. Women's Open – one of the sport's “majors". At the opening press conference, Babe is asked about her friendship with Betty. As much as she would love to elaborate more, she simply talks about how helpful Betty has been during this process – along with her husband George (looking at them both in the crowd as she does).
Equipped with a colostomy bag, a fragile Babe struggles both physically and on the course. After a lousy first round, Betty worries that Babe is pushing herself too hard and maybe consider dropping out to preserve her strength. With the heightened emotions, the two of them kiss. Pondering what she should do, she then talks to George who reminds her of the Babe he fell in love with way back when, a Babe who would put her all into achieving her goal as exemplified by her Olympic and golf career. Babe admits that she really just wants to prove to herself that this cancer has not changed her true character and says she will stick through the event.
Babe has a resurgent second round and gets to second place behind Mickey. As a result, they are paired together for the final two rounds. Although there is seemingly a rival on the surface, Mickey actually admits that she has always looked up to Babe and wants to emulate her. Babe responds by letting Mickey know of the respect she has for her game and tells her she sees big things in Mickey’s future. They shake hands. Over the course of the next few days, Babe gets on a roll and has the tournament firmly wrapped up by the start of the fourth and final round. The crowd is ecstatic and large groups follow her everywhere she goes.
On the final hole, with the championship already in hand, Babe approaches the tee. After a good drive, her approach to the green is cross-cut with a scene from the future of her on her death bed, Betty and George at her side saying their goodbyes. On the green, the cross-cutting becomes her funeral in 1956 as the crowd quiets down on the course for her to make her last putt of the tournament. It goes in.
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