Wolff rating: GOOD
Plot summary: Solid romance; a somewhat drunk West Texas golf pro falls for the girlfriend of his former pal who has now turned into a golf champion.
Biased, pithy comments: You know, Rene Russo can really act. Despite the fact that Kevin Costner was supposed to be focus of this film, my eyes were constantly drawn to Russo, and not just because she's awfully pretty. I've seen her in other films playing other roles, and this new role (as a somewhat psychotic psychologist) is genuinely different and entirely believable. Wow! A leading lady who can do character roles! No way. Speaking of character roles, Marin and his band of sidekicks try to steal the show, but ultimately the film is about Russo and Costner. The plot is formulatic up to a certain point, but along the way we are treated to low-key laugh-out-loud dialog and situations---the banter between Costner and Marin and Russo and Marin kept a grin on my face. And, for a sports movie, the ending twists out in a way that perhaps isn't quite as Hollywood as the rest of the film. Don Johnson, like poor Rob Lowe, is destined forever to be cast as the evil pretty boy, but he laps up his lines with a professional ease. I liked it, but I like dopey romances and good banter. And I really like Russo.
Other Notes: ``I mean, when I was with Earl, I was thinking of you.''
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin.
Directed by: Ron Shelton