Powerful

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I was more than a bit surprised at how much I enjoyed this light and fun sports-rom-com. I wish the actual sports dramatics were better, which just inexplicable following the whims of the screenwriter instead of the characters reality, but there's still much to like. The dialogue is great, even with the constant golf puns and metaphors, which are delivered with such intention and self-awareness. Costner is in top form; cocky, likable, and disruptive.

I am fascinated by this film, no doubt about it. It displays a great affection from the title character for the game of golf. However, his character itself makes me want to punch him in the face with a baseball bat. The way the character acts...SPOILER ALERT!!! ... it just pisses me off beyond repair. He is a self-centered, worthless, girlfriend stealing asshole. With no respect for his friends nor anything for that matter except his blown up ego.SPOILER ALERT END!!! This movie however is a great film that is worth the watch, especially if you like golf!

Roy 'Tin cup' McAvoy (Kevin Costner) is a washed up golf pro living at his run down driving range with his sidekick caddy Romeo (Cheech Marin) in desolate west Texas shooting the breeze with the boys. Then psychiatrist Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo) shows up needing a lesson. It turns out that she's the girlfriend of Roy's slick former University of Houston teammate now golfing star David Simms (Don Johnson). Simms invites McAvoy to his tournament, not to play but to caddy. Then a bet develops with the players that Roy could make a shot on National TV and Simms fires him. He owes Doreen $12k and gives her the deed to his driving range. He even loses his car to Simm in a bet. Roy decides to qualify for the US Open and be Molly's patient.This movie works so well. The trio have so much chemistry that they have an unbeatable charm in this movie. It's partly due to writer/director Ron Shelton, but it has so much due to his reunion with Costner. Like Bull Durham, it is about the characters as much as it is about the game. It is adorable when Roy confesses his love to Molly in their session. It is just a very well made rom-com with great characters with a great golf ending.

There are three reasons to watch this movie: Rene Russo, Cheech Marin, and Don Johnson. The rest of it is a waste of time. Kevin Costner's character, the protagonist, is a jerk from beginning to end. He never changes, he never learns anything, he is a total loser. I don't know whether to blame the script writer, the director, or Costner, but it doesn't really matter. The main character is entirely unsympathetic. Marin has some great lines, and he delivers them beautifully. Russo is sexy and plays her part perfectly. Johnson's performance is excellent, except for the one scene in which the director or scrip writer or someone decided that he needed to play completely out of character in order to make him the villain. It even appeared that he was embarrassed to have to do that scene, since it was totally inconsistent with the rest of his role. I will watch the film again, but just to enjoy watching Russo, Marin, and Johnson.