Sunday, October 9, 2005

Shia LaBeouf comes out swinging

By Phil Villarreal / Arizona Daily Star

Disney Shia LaBeouf plays Francis Ouimet, a young amateur who surprised the golf world by winning the 1913 U.S. Open. Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

Shia LaBeouf isn't shy about saying that his new movie, "The Greatest Game Ever Played," is the greatest golf movie ever made.

"Every golf film before ours was garbage, except for 'Caddyshack' and 'Billy Madison,' which were parodies," he said in a recent telephone interview.

"Movie golf was boring to me. It didn't look interesting at all. A big part missing from the other movies was the mental aspect. They just filmed golf rather than film the mind of a golfer like we did."

LaBeouf plays Francis Ouimet, a young amateur who surprised the golf world by winning the 1913 U.S. Open.

"Francis Ouimet was the first man to bring golf to regular people. He was like Jackie Robinson. He completely revolutionized golf. Now it isn't a hobby for the rich; it's an American sport. He was the first to do that, and probably the only one who didn't profit off of his sport, because he was an amateur. He did more for golf than any athlete has ever done for his sport."

LaBeouf is tremendously proud of his latest film.

"It could be about Frisbee and people would still love it. It's the most inspirational film to come out this year, about a true gentleman of his time and place," he said. "It was 1913, when there was an influx of immigrants who didn't have a spokesperson they could look up to. Francis Ouimet became that spokesperson, and what he did led to the creation of municipal public courses where every man could meet as equals."

The 19-year-old wants a long career in film, and credits Jon Voight, his co-star in "Holes" (2003), for providing guidance.

One of LaBeouf's immediate concerns, he said, is differentiating himself from what he sees as a stable of airhead celebrities who built their careers, like him, through Disney projects.

"People classify me as a laughy-daffy Disney kid," said LaBeouf, who broke through on the Disney Channel series "Even Stevens."

He muttered "Hilary Duff" as the celeb he most disliked being categorized with.

"I just wish the crowd I was associated with was more passionate about what they were doing and less consumed with the commerce of the art form," LaBeouf said.

"There are people my age doing interesting things. Jamie Bell, Emile Hirsch, Evan Rachel Wood. There are a handful of us who do have integrity, who do respect our audience, and who do not use extortion to bring kids to theaters" to see bad movies.

"The truth is that there's a difference between an actor and a personality. A personality is Ben Affleck, whereas Matt Damon is a real actor. He doesn't need to be with J. Lo to have a career."

LaBeouf said he's glad not to be in college.

"I turned down a scholarship to Yale," LaBeouf said. "The problem with college is that there's a tendency to mistake preparation for productivity. You can prepare all you want, but if you never roll the dice you'll never be successful."

He said his earlier scholastic years were rough, and that he was expelled from several schools.

" ... I was getting in fights every day and causing problems. A lot of that added up to no good."

LaBeouf is still a fighter, although his weapons of choice are words. He said he's frustrated by politics and the economy.

"People think that their vote counts. They go to college, and everything gets mixed up. People stop caring," LaBeouf said. "They raise the gas prices, but what the Everyman makes and welfare never seem to keep up. The HMO system is so ridiculous. I'm slightly educated. No one wants to hear what Hilary Duff thinks of the economy."

LaBeouf said he isn't worried about offending anyone he insults in print.

"I just maintain my integrity," he said. "I give honest answers, although I have to be a little bit of a politician on this as well. Nothing I say isn't true, so I can't be hurt for anything I'm saying."