Seven Days in Utopia

See it. Feel it. Trust it. Don't have to be a golf fan to enjoy it. Golf fans will enjoy it. This is a great family film. No nudity and no language, so very safe to watch it with your kids, parents and grandparents. Just watched this one on Amazon Prime,and I think it is one of my favorite Robert Duvall movies, outside The Godfather movies. Lucas Black is good in this as well. Both of them are in the movie Sling Blade but they don't have any scenes together in that movie. They have a wonderful chemistry together. Will watch this one again.

As I finished watching yet another ambiguous, artistic, morally grey, dramatic, and emotionally draining show, I saw this and figured why not. Yes, the script is VERY simple, the dialogue is sometimes dumb but overall, this movie was just a nice, easy to watch, feel good movie. It gave me a nice break from all the really dark and real content that is popular (not that either of those are bad). If you're looking for a basic movie that will simply entertain you, I'd say give this a shot. As I said, it's a feel good redemptive story with a great cast.

"How can a game have such an affect on a man's soul? The way I see it, how can it not?" When Luke Chisolm's (Black) big chance at a golf tournament ends in a disaster he drives away wanting to give up golf. When an accident lands him in the town of Utopia he meets a rancher named Johnny Crawford (Duvall) who can teach him about golf, and much more. I have to admit that many of the "faith-based" movies that I have seen start off good then end up being very cheesy where everything works out perfect without any consequences or obstacles to avoid. This one was heading down that path but veered of sharply and ended up having one of the best endings I have seen in a movie. All that aside, this is a fantastic family movie that everyone will love and is a rare G rated movie that is good. While this is a golf movie, this is also so much more and Duvall plays a type of Mr. Myagi character in the way that only he can. I can go on and on about this movie but I will simply say...this is a must watch. Overall, one of the best sports movies to come out lately as well as one of the top ten of the year so far. I highly recommend. I give it an A.

*Also try - Greatest Game Ever Played & The Perfect Game

A perfect case of a message adding up to more than presentation in film terms. The story itself sags often, is corny and there is actually limited emotional connection despite the attempt at playing heavily in to character development. Three things elevate this movie to above average for me. One, Robert Duvall... that guy is a treat to watch in just about any performance. Two, I love the game of golf. Finally, the message of altering and living life on your own terms with faith and conviction resonates in a big way. I really loved this line from Duvall's grace before his meal... "Thank You for faith in a world filled with fear."

When reading certain reviews and seeing how many hate filled people attack any film with any type of religious message it helps to remember just how much they are lashing out in fear. Lack of true faith makes all people truly miserable eventually (and afraid) because they have nothing to truly strive for and will always be haunted by their own mortality. We all know misery loves company. They want to drag down and insult those who have a chance at peace. That in and of itself is quite sad.

Regardless, this movie is NOT a pure religious film at all. It's a story about golf and struggling to better oneself by prioritizing what is really important in life.

Inspiring story of a golf player and part of his life's journey. Robert Duvall and Lucas Black play well.