Review of Tin Cup (1996) by William O — 22 Jun 2004

But hey, we can still have fun can't we?

Kevin Costner seems to have made it is life goal to remake "Dances With Wolves" & "Bull Durham" but has failed so far...almost to a humiliating point (lest we forget "Waterworld" & "The Postman").

With "Tin Cup" we get a very watchable attempt at movie history. This film was actually written by the same writer as Bull, is all about a sport and includes a similar love-interest (Rene Russo this time around, Susan Surandon in Bull. They are similar because these women embody the odd ability to be homely and gorgeous in consequtive frames).

This film is about a drunken-unshaven driving range pro who uses horny influence to take hime and his caddy (an always delightful Cheech Marin) back into the pro Golf ciruit. HIs rivalry against Don Jonson is predictable but thankfully the ending, the dialogue, the chemistry and much of the events aren't.

We are given a big happy ending but not the ending we are driving for (avoid the pun).

This film is overall fluff but high-quality fluff (cuz apparently there is such a thing). It's very funny and entertaining when you're in the right mood.

If you're expecting Bull 2 then perhaps you should rent "Major League" (possibly #2 as far as Baseball movies are concerned) but at least this movie stands head and shoulders over Golf movies like "The Legend of Bagger Vance" (turbo sap that insists that if horse racing is the sport of kings then surely golf is the sport of GODS! ie golf = life) and "Happy Gilmore" (Adam Sandler character #2 "Angry guy" while #1 is "retarded guy", although this movie can be fun too as long as you don't feel like thinking all too much).

It is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, like other Costner movies. Perhaps the supporting cast can be credited...or maybe its just easier for him to make funner movies.