Kevin Costner turns in a soaring display of ordinary-guy charm and extraordinary-guy idealism
Kevin Costner turns in a soaring display of ordinary-guy charm and extraordinary-guy idealism. In one of his best roles, he plays Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy, a lowly Texas golf pro who plays his way into the US Open. Co-writer-director Ron Shelton's witty way with words and Costner's relaxed performance are a winning combination and the ending is a sports movie classic, but the film's biggest surprise is that it makes golf seem both epic and exciting. Costner constantly talks about his 'inner demons' and his pursuit of his 'mythic destiny' and the main joy of the movie is that he soon has us believing him ('It's about gaining control of your life and letting go at the same time'), turning his slovenly has-been into a genuine hero. Rene Russo and Cheech Marin are his key foils and Don Johnson is also on top form as Costner's arch-rival on and off the fairway.
