This was rank!

Rating: 1/10 (30 January 2002)

This film was one of the most pathetic movies I have ever seen. Total claptrap. Simplistic script, shallow characters and rancid storytelling. It will leave you screaming at the screen, "grow up!" The problem with this film is that it is so corny. It tries to be the big, sentimental golf film for the ages. However, it comes across as so sappy, that even a golf enthusiast like myself felt ill. Nothing new in the story here, down and out athlete that is inspired to be special again. Damon is the "poor" athlete that is just so sad. Enter his inspiration, Will Smith, doing his best impersonation of an 80 year old house servant from the 1850's. Will Smith is so bad in this film, that I was amazed he was allowed to continue with the project. I would love to describe some of the other characters in this film, but they were so hollow, that there is simply nothing to describe. I believe Redford thought he could market this film to middle age golfers and cash in. However, the smoltzy nature of this material is just hard to watch with a straight face. There is a good reason why this film bombed, if you watch it, you will know.