Sports Movies - Tin Cup

Tin Cup.

Why is Kevin Costner so damn effective in the role of likeable underdog? I can’t think of anyone who’s had more success playing this role.
(Doesn’t mean there aren’t a bunch of guys who’ve done it, just means I’m not thinking of one at the moment)

Maybe it’s his laconic delivery, or that half smile / smirk thing he does.

Anyhow, Tin Cup is movie about a great golfer whose accumulated life choices has resulted in him managing a driving range, and living in a Winnebago. He falls for a neurotic therapist, who happens to be dating his old golf rival. The rival, played by Don Johnson, is a successful PGA tour golfer, a bit smarmy, and very condescending toward Costner.

So of course, Costner gets his head together, qualifies for the PGA tour, and ends up competing against Johnson for both the girl, and for the honor of being tournament champion.

Does he win the tournament? Nope. He actually loses it in a spectacular fashion, by refusing to be un-true to himself and to the game of golf as he loves it. But he gets the girl, shows he can hang with the big dogs until the last hole of the tournament, and automatically qualifies for next season’s tour. And as Russo puts it, no one’s going to remember who won the tournament a week from now, but everyone’s going to remember Costner’s performance on the 18th hole……

So there’s the Rocky-like “redemption and winning while still losing” you expect from a good sports movie.


Great performances by Costner, and by Cheech Marin as his best friend and caddy. Renee Russo’s as dependably appealing as always. Johnson’s role is not huge, and does not ask him to stretch as an actor, so he also does fine.
Plot’s fairly linear, dialog’s realistic, and there’s lots to enjoy. Good primary and 2ndary conflicts, all resolved tidily.
Movie works ok on it's own merits, but at the same time benefits greatly from Costner's performance.

It’s like Happy Gilmore, but for grown ups.