I loved Tin Cup. Yet, even as I sat there chuckling at the corny jokes and the inevitability of the plot, I kept wondering why I was enjoying myself so much. Logic tells me I should hate this movie. It's patriarchal, stereotypical and wincingly obvious. Two big name actors Kevin Costner and Don Johnson vie against each other to win the U.S. Open Golf trophy and Renee Russo. Don Johnson is agreeable as a smug golfing superstar, and Kevin Costner is exactly what you'd expect as the alcholic loser golf pro who manages to touches everyone's heart. The plotline is thin and the characters are two dimensional.

        Even weaker, however, is the role of trophy female--Renee Russo. There are so many things wrong with her role and her portrayal of the role that I felt embarrassed for her. So, with all these strikes against the movie, why did I come away thinking it was wonderful?

        Tin Cup is the epitome of the traditional Hollywood style of cinema. It is lighthearted and great entertainment. As Kevin Costner says to his friends as they celebrate in the Waffle House, it doesn't get much better than this. Indeed, this movie is an affirmation that the American dream is attainable by everyone. Like the British Skier Eddie the Eagle and the Jamacian Bobsled Team in their respective olympic events, Costner's Roy McAlvey is the underdog who comes from nowhere through that great process called democracy to become a legend.

        There are lots of places where you have to throw logic and common sence to the wind. For example, after a temper tantrum, Costner completes one of his qualifying rounds using only his 7 iron. He uses it on the tee, the fareway and even on the greens - which is totally illegal. Renee Russo says she has spent all her life following men around. When she realizes that men are not getting her where she wants to be, she opts instead to become a doctor of psychology--seemingly over night.

        Yet, I still loved it! So probably the main reason why this film is so enjoyable is timing. After a summer plagued by blockbuster special effects movies, Hollywood finally gives us one of those lightweight little summer romances that we've been longing for. And Tin Cup is well balanced to offer satisfaction to its audience. While the plot is ridiculously simple, its a story we all know and love. Boy meets girl. Girl is attached to boy's rival, so boy decides to win the US Open just to show girl that he is a more worthy lover. Simple! It happens everyday.

        But the movie is tantalizing in that the suspension of disbelief is stretched and stretched until you think that anything just might happen. Because, quite simply, this is Hollywood. Plain homespun entertainment. Its downright fun, with no frills, and no message beyond the fact that its okay to be human. So leave your troubles at the door and don't miss ninety minutes of non-threatening entertainment in Tin Cup.

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