‘Stick’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
Released on Apple TV+ on June 4th with three episodes (followed by one every Wednesday through July 23rd), ‘Stick’ looks to play a similar game to Apple smash hit ‘Ted Lasso.’
Starring Owen Wilson, the cast also includes Peter Dager, Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, Judy Greer and Timothy Olyphant.
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Initial Thoughts
Despite its rampant popularity in the professional sporting world, and a legion of amateur club-swingers who head to courses across the world in their free time, golf is a pastime that hasn’t gotten the toe hold in popular culture to the same level as say football or even soccer.
True, there have been a wealth of movies, including the likes of ‘Tin Cup’ and ‘Happy Gilmore,’ but now ‘Stick’ is looking to level the playing field on the small screen. Or should that be course?
Mostly, though, the sport is more a backdrop for the character work, and especially the arc of Wilson’s Pryce, who seeks redemption on the green and off of it. And, much as with ‘Ted Lasso,’ the series around him aims to be a blend of sports story, hangout comedy and some deeper emotions, not all of them as sunny as the lead’s normal disposition.
Script and Direction
‘Stick’ hails from creator Jason Keller, whose output has largely been confined to the big screen, including scripting the likes of ‘Ford V Ferrari,’ ‘Mirror Mirror’ and ‘Machine Gun Preacher.’
Here, teamed with showrunner Christopher Moynihan (‘Marlon,’ ‘100 Questions’), he looks to open up the world of golf in a way not really explored since Adam Sandler’s heavy hitter –– indeed, the character of teen prodigy Santi, played by Peter Dager, has some resonance with Happy Gilmore, since he’s similarly able to thwack a ball great distances (though he’s less burning with anger, more simmering with resentful tension).
The focus, though, is on Pryce, a man who once flirted with true golfing glory, only to let his own anger issues get in the way –– issues that were inflamed by a past tragedy in his life.
Keller and the writers find a way to play to Wilson’s mostly laidback strengths, but still give him opportunities to go in another, fiercer direction when needed.
Around him, they’ve built an effective set of characters with interesting stories of their own (even Marc Maron’s Mitts, who is mostly the grumpy former caddy-turned-wise old owl has a chance to shine), and if some of the narrative hits a ball into sand trap, the writing retrieves it well enough.
The directors, which include ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ duo Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris alongside David Dobkin (‘Wedding Crashers’, which of course was a big hit for Wilson) and Jaffar Mahmood (‘The Residence’) keep the focus on the people, but also find a way to open up the golf games so as to make them understandable to those who don’t watch it regularly.
Cast and Performances
Owen Wilson has found a good groove on the small screen of late –– he was a highlight of both seasons of ‘Loki’ and here is playing a character he can certainly make work. As Pryce “Stick” Cahill, his good-natured charisma shines through, but he’s also willing to go to darker places when necessary. And he plays well off of everyone else, not least Judy Greer (as Pryce’s ex-wife Amber-Lynn) and Peter Dager’s Santi.
Talking of the young golf whizz, Dager is handed and ably brings to life a more complicated role than just a moody teenager with one standout ability. He’s funny and charming at times, and also able to embody Santi’s frustration when life gets in his way.
As mentioned, Judy Greer has a supporting role, but is typically excellent, balancing exasperation with enthusiasm and real heart.
Santi’s mother Elena is brought to screens by ‘A Man Called Otto’s Mariana Treviño, and she’s also effective, treading a careful path between a mother worried about her son and looking to secure her own future. Her chemistry with Maron’s Mitts is particularly rewarding.
Maron always gives good gruff, and the role of Mitts fits him well. He’s got his own reasons for behaving the way he does, and his history with Pryce works.
Lilli Kay adds some romantic interest to Santi’s life, but is more than simply a reason for him to want to impress people. The role becomes more crucial as the story moves along, that Kay is more than up to the task.
Final Thoughts
It might not exactly have quite the same layers as ‘Ted Lasso,’ but if ‘Stick’ doesn’t exactly score a hole in one, it’s able to stay under par and prove to be an effective delivery system for both charming comedy and decent drama.
AouK7gONap2zyk5I68aOh4What’s the plot of ‘Stick’?
Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.
After the collapse of his marriage and getting fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi (Peter Dager).
The new sports comedy is about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before.
Who is in the cast of ‘Stick’?
- Owen Wilson as Pryce Cahill
- Peter Dager as Santi Wheeler
- Lilly Kay as Zero
- Mariana Treviño as Elena
- Marc Maron as Mitts
- Judy Greer as Amber-Linn
- Timothy Olyphant as Clark Ross
- Rob Benedict as Chuck Gray
List of Golf Movies:
- Caddyshack (1980)
- Tin Cup (1996)
- Happy Gilmore (1996)
- The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
- Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)
- The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
- ‘Who’s Your Caddy?‘ (2007)
- Swing Away (2016)
- The Phantom of the Open (2022)
- ‘Happy Gilmore 2‘ (2025)
