GOLDEN OLDIE 61: Tin Cup

 

Having survived my close encounter with ugliness (as exemplified by the movie The Accused), I decided to let my nerve endings mend while watching a mindless, good natured Kevin Costner sports movie.  Golf, this time, co-starring Rene Russo, Cheech Marin, and a flock of busy armadillos.  Tin Cup, as it is called, was released in 1996.  The critics didn’t exactly hate it, and we audience boobs were slightly amused by it (Rotten Tomatoes 72%).  Needless to say, it won no honors – although, personally, I think the armadillos were stiffed.

So, the plot revolves around an immensely talented golfer crippled by inner demons, who conquers them – and the U.S. Open - with the help of a profane coach (Marin) and a comely psychiatrist (Russo).   Nothing profound here, just good, honest, clean fun.  Marin is really good in this role, enticing me to watch another of his efforts, Desperado -  to be reported on soon.  I have never much cottoned to Russo, but she is pretty good here.  Don Johnson is admirably despicable in an important supporting role.  But the highlights of the movie belong to the armadillos; too bad most of their scenes ended up on the cutting-room floor.