SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA
By: John ’Doc’ Strange
Directed by: Matthew Dean Russell
Starring: Robert Duvall, Lucas Black, Melissa Leo, Deborah Ann Woll, Brian Geraghty, Kathy Baker, Joseph Lyle Taylor, Madison Burge, Jerry Ferrara, K.J. Choi, Rickie Fowler
MPAA Rating: G
Selig Rating: FULL PRICE
Runtime: 99 Min.
Luke Chisolm is a young golfer going somewhere ala Tiger Woods. Like Tiger, Luke’s father, Martin (Joseph Lyle Taylor), has trained him from an early age to be the best golfer in the world. During a major tournament Luke has a meltdown on the 18th hole, blowing any chance of winning. This meltdown is exacerbated by disagreements over how to play the hole but it’s obvious the problem has been growing between the two for some time.
Following the tourney, Luke heads out on the back roads of Texas, not necessarily heading anywhere in particular. Driving, distracted by his problems and a golf course in the middle of a pasture, Luke nearly hits a bull and wrecks his car avoiding it.
Luke has entered another world. He may be a native Texan but these folks are small town Texas. Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall), the bull’s owner (and incidentally the owner of the golf course), takes Luke into town to get him cleaned up and puts him up in the town motel (which he also owns).
Johnny takes Luke under his wing to help him get his professional as well as personal balance back. His methods are like nothing I’ve ever seen. They are both troubling and enlightening. Johnny includes different approaches to seeing what really matters in his approach to training. Truly eye opening stuff!
What movie worth its salt would skip the love interest? Sarah (Deborah Ann Woll) is the daughter of Lily (Melissa Leo), owner the local diner. Her father had been one Johnny’s best students. Enter Jake (Brian Geraghty), local boy and in love with Sarah. He treats everything about Luke as a challenge to his relationship with the young lady.
This film is a wonderful journey. The characters are well scripted and interesting, the story engaging and satisfying. I plan to have a copy of this film in my collection as soon as it becomes available.
Movie Site: http://www.sevendaysinutopia.com/
The Selig Rating Scale:
FULL PRICE – Excellent movie, well worth the price
MATINEE – Good movie
DOLLAR – OK movie
CABLE – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
FREEBIE – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
COMMERCIAL TV – Commercials and cutting to the allotted time will not hurt this one.
FORGET IT! – Bad. If you see this one, do yourself a favor and keep it to yourself.
GET YOUR TORCHES – BAD! – Burn the script, the writer, the director and maybe even the actors!
