Movies

‘Stick’ creator Jason Keller takes a swing at the game of life through golf

BBG News

At its core, “Stick” tells a story of an aging golfer whose career peaked too soon, who guides a young golf prodigy across various amateur tournaments in an RV. The boy’s mother and the old pro’s grumpy friend tag along for the ride. Along their journey, the prodigy discovers love with a bohemian girl, experiences exciting adventures, and picks up valuable life lessons.

As a cinephile who’s got a soft spot for the greens, I’ve noticed that golf isn’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill activity – except perhaps in “Caddyshack”. Instead, it teems with metaphors. Do you play it safe and lay low (like in “Tin Cup”) or swing for the fences? Or face the heat under pressure or crumble like sand beneath your feet in a trap? That’s why it’s no surprise that the upcoming series, “Stick”, debuting June 4 on Apple TV+, chooses golf as its tool to tackle life’s challenges.

In a nutshell, the character Pryce Cahill (portrayed by Owen Wilson) is on a quest for atonement. Previously, he had a meltdown on the golf course, which set off a chain reaction of negative events in his life – his marriage to Judy Greer is ending in divorce, and their house is being put up for sale. However, fate intervenes when he crosses paths with the gifted 17-year-old golfer, Santi (Peter Dager), whom Pryce believes can help him regain his footing. For Santi, his talent is undeniable; every swing of his club seems like a thunderous sonic boom. But his relationship with golf and respect for elders has been strained ever since his tough-as-nails father abandoned him.

What fascinated Jason Keller, the series creator, more than any golf-related event was the human element. He admitted, “I adore golf, yet I’m not proficient at it. I often find myself feeling frustrated with it.

Certainly, frustration and disappointment are feelings that everyone experiences. They were the driving forces behind Keller, the writer of the 2019 film “Ford v Ferrari,” to develop the screenplay for “Stick.

Even before the narrative was centered around a golf course, I found myself intrigued by developing a character who hadn’t met expectations,” he explained. “I was drawn to characters with immense potential but fell short. What becomes of such individuals? How do they respond to that failure? Do they allow it to define them or do they try to reconcile that? Does it inspire them to excel in different aspects of their lives?

As a self-confessed enthusiast, Wilson acknowledges that his golf skills aren’t top-notch – “Golf was something my father and brothers excelled in, but I always felt daunted by it” – yet he finds a striking resemblance to life: No matter how hard you strive for perfection, it remains elusive.

Television

This summer promises an abundance of excellent TV shows. Some beloved returning series include ‘The Bear’ and ‘Wednesday,’ while fresh additions to the lineup are ‘Ironheart,’ ‘Excessive’ and ‘Alien: Earth.’

There’s an element of chess-like challenge in golf, because it’s difficult to truly master it,” he explained. “This can mirror life too, where even someone like Tiger Woods, who won the Masters by a massive margin, still felt the need to tweak his swing. Pryce speaks about how the game can be relentless and demanding. I believe many people feel the same way about life.

Mariana Treviño, the Mexican actress portraying Santi’s mother Elena, concurs that the show “Stick” revolves around handling adversities. “Elena finds herself at a point in her life where she has experienced a major letdown,” she expressed. “Her family disintegrated. In certain instances, when something incredibly intense happens to you, you may choose to isolate yourself from the world. You believe that you’re safeguarding your pain by remaining stationary or avoiding confronting something that is distressing head-on.

As a film enthusiast, let me assure you that “Stick” isn’t as serious as it might sound at first glance. Much like the charming performances by Wilson, who seamlessly transitions his Texas/California vibe to the show’s Indiana backdrop (since Keller is from Indianapolis), “Stick” maintains a relaxed and effortless feel, even when tackling some weightier themes. The atmosphere evokes a lighter, golf-focused version of “Ted Lasso.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the series, Wilson and Marc Maron portray Pryce’s grumpy, long-time buddy who’s grappling with his own sorrow. Their dialogue is filled with the familiar banter of two men well-acquainted with each other’s quirks, always trying to avoid provoking them unnecessarily. Lilli Kay joins the cast as Zero, Santi’s new companion and life coach. She identifies as genderqueer, anticapitalist, postcolonial feminist, and the show cleverly embraces this unique character without resorting to mockery or stereotypes.

Meanwhile, Elena harbors a slight suspicion towards the entire project, yet she finds the elderly golfers, particularly those who are white, somewhat entertaining. Additionally, she appreciates the money Pryce has provided her for allowing him to coach his son.

Gather them all inside an RV and on multiple golf courses, and you’ll have the essential elements for a contemporary, humorous story about a “family,” but in reality, most of these people are not blood-related.

Keller explained, “They’ve come to resemble a bonded family, despite their diverse personalities. Yet, they were all unknowingly essential to one another. This, I believe, is what makes the series so captivating – we see individuals who initially seem mismatched, but later discover they needed each other. I hope that the warmth and uplifting essence of this dynamic resonates with viewers.

However, the heavy weight of disillusionment and uncertainty about what comes next continues to hang over the narrative. Keller has personally encountered such hurdles.

At the age of 25 and fresh in Hollywood, a benign brain tumor was found in him by doctors. After a successful surgery, nerve damage ensued which required him to relearn walking. Now at the age of 56, he acknowledges that he didn’t fully appreciate the value of his challenging past. He has since developed an immense gratitude for his robust physical health.

Keller drew inspiration from a challenging life event to create his “Stick” characters. He explained, “Everyone encounters moments in their lives that leave them utterly defeated.” These could be events like a divorce or losing someone dear. We all go through such painful personal struggles or hardships. The real question is, how do you deal with them after you’ve experienced and overcome them?

In the story “Stick,” Santi, the youngest character, bears the scars of life’s harshness. As Dager put it, “He’s fearful, and understandably so, for his father abandoned him.” Consequently, he constructed a tough exterior and adopted an air of confidence.

I found myself drawn to every aspect of him. “I was captivated by his past, but it was his essence and the way he shields himself with humor that truly won me over,” I admitted. “But as we grow closer and he starts to open up, showing more of who he truly is, you can’t help but see the genuine him. You get a glimpse of the person he yearns to be.

If you’re a golfer and can distinguish between a birdie, an eagle, an iron, and a wood, “Stick” is packed with sports gear. It may even motivate you to dig out your dusty golf clubs from the garage. But of course, that’s entirely up to you.

Keller stated, “Those I’ve demonstrated it to, golf enthusiasts, have embraced and valued it on a sporting level. Non-golfers who’ve seen it appear to be moved by it on an emotional, non-sport specific level. It seems they’re resonating with it. Let’s wait and see if we nailed it. I sure hope so.

Read More

2025-05-15 20:31

Previous post Netflix’s Here Comes the Flood is a “deadly” heist movie with a stacked cast
Next post Scarlett Johansson says The Avengers “felt like a big mess” – but one moment changed her mind