We are probably not alone in regarding Kevin Costner's "Tin Cup" (Warner 1996) as a classic. Costner is a natural as the eponymous Texas driving range pro and general has-been. The intensive golf coaching for the film paid off with a swing most players would be delighted with, and the supporting cast perfoms admirably in this likable sports flick.

The film's appeal is the underdog/has been player winning the US Open and many golf fans' support. And then there's the male bonding and macho posturing from McAvoy (Costner) breaking every club but the 7 iron whilst winning the qualifying tournament to the absurd distance wager afterwards. McAvoy's inability to play the safe shot strikes a chord in all of us as we line up near impossible attacks on the pin, only to think better of it.

The supporting actors are thinly sketched to the point of translucence or transparency. But it's not about characterisation, simply a gathering of drinking buddies. We suspect most of the target audience would happily have been in the film, or at least would happily spend time in a bar with the cast of amiable characters. The general good humour of the film is echoed by its lack of deep substance. Molly (Russo) spends more time joining in with the buoyant male bonding than belittling it. She is quick to recognise her own therapist training's shortcomings, so we need not dwell on it here.

Phrases to remember: "Let the big dog eat," "Give me the lumber!" "He hates children and old people, and dogs." etc.