‘Tin Cup’ fits into a typical loser-seeking-redemption-and-love mold but it is a charming and light hearted take on the subject. A feel good movie with oodles of subtle comic undertones and nothingness explained with verbosity.
‘Tin Cup’ is a popular name for Roy McAvoy an obscure driving range pro who has the game (golf) but does not have the game (mind) to make it big on the pro tour. Instead he runs a loss making business, is buried in debt with a stripper ex-girlfriend and cannot seem to understand what makes the less talented but smarter college mate David Simms click on the pro tour. He encounters a beautiful ‘doctor lady’ and falls for her only to realize that she is Simms’ girl. He has to prove to her that he is not what she thinks he is, by winning the US Open. Would he be able to conquer his inner demons and win his girl and the title is what the plot is about.
Director Ron Shelton gives the film a very laid-back, set as it is in a sleepy town in Texas. None of its principal characters seem to be in any hurry to go anywhere or do anything. The flow is easy paced and filled with witticisms and verbal jabs being traded in a typical southern accent. The pace picks up in the last 30 minutes as McAvoy makes a serious bid to qualify and win the Open.
Kevin Costner as Roy is extremely charming as the loser whom anyone would want to love. Rene Russo as the psychologist-with-issues is very graceful and balances Roy’s self-destructive tendencies with calm and delivers a very good performance as a woman who is reaching for the next level in her life, but finds herself slipping for the not so ideal man with little success of his own. Cheech Marin and Don Johnson as the friendly caddie and the successful Simms respectively provide able support in largely stereotypical roles as the comic relief and the typical bad guy. The good thing to watch out for is the golf game of Costner. He trained with a golf trainer for this role and made most of his shots himself.
‘Tin Cup’ is a nice relaxed watch for anyone wanting some light entertainment and some feel good.