Luke doesn’t realize it yet, but he’s hearing from a former golf professional. “Spend seven days in Utopia,” Johnny Crawford says in his unusual offer. He doesn’t know it then, but he will find himself in just a week’s time after an initial meeting with an eccentric rancher who owns a tiny, dilapidated golf course in the middle of nowhere. When Russell, who for the last decade has worked in Hollywood’s visual effects world ( Live Free or Die Hard, Night at the Museum), first read Cook’s novel, he was attracted by the responsibility of carrying such an important faith-based message from page to screen that would “glorify the Lord.” It’s not about the 500 followers you have on Twitter or the 3,000 Facebook friends you have.” It’s about people who are around you, your friends, your family, your loved ones. “Life is about what’s in your heart, your personal satisfaction and your personal relationship with God. Cook.įirst-time director and screenwriter Matthew Russell, who co-wrote the screenplay with Cook, found it an opportunity to explore something seen less often on-screen: the impact people can have in one another’s lives when they come together through mentoring relationships. It’s a powerful theme that runs through Seven Days in Utopia, a new film releasing Septemin select cities, that is based on the best-selling, inspirational novel, Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia, by top Peak Performance coach David L. It’s just choosing to reach out, make a difference and walk through this life together. Those in the tiny town of Utopia, Texas, though, know it’s not as hard as it sounds. And it seems like it shouldn’t be too hard to find.īut with the infiltration of “virtual community” (thanks a lot, technology), the truth is it’s getting harder and harder to find the real thing. It’s the buzzword heard in many a church congregation or self-help group these days. The movie's general message that winning is never more important than what's in your heart is a wonderful lesson for all budding athletes, but the delivery is too heavy-handed.Community. Painting and fly-fishing are one thing, but flying a plane? No. Miyagi-ish mentor is quite amusing, although possibly unintentionally so - as in the scene when Johnny ludicrously allows Luke to take the controls of a small airplane as it begins to plummet through the air. On the bright side, the cinematography is lovely (lush greens and blues), Black never looks awkward swinging a golf club, and the soundtrack features a memorable selection of contemporary Christian tunes. Not to mention that golf isn't the most exciting sport to begin with, so there's a generally soporific tone to the entire endeavor. It's the movie's Cars-meets- Karate Kid-via-Sunday School plot that drags it down. It's not the actors - the cast boasts two Academy Award winners (Duvall and Melissa Leo), plus Black, Hurt Locker vet Brian Geraghty, True Bloodvamp Deborah Ann Woll, and Emmy winner Kathy Baker. But there's a line between inspiring and evangelizing, between moving and cheesy, and this golf drama crosses completely over into eye-rolling territory. There's nothing wrong with an inspiring sports movie some of the best in the genre - Hoosiers, Remember the Titans, Miracle - are classics that families will be watching together for generations. The acting is so good here, it's a shame the message misses its mark.
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