The Dink ☆☆☆

Starring: Jake Johnson, Mary
Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Patton Oswalt, Christine Taylor and
Ben Stiller
Directed by: Josh Greenbaum

ou don’t need to have picked up the broad, light paddle used for pickleball to know what a sporting phenomenon it’s become in recent years. Its selling-point? Essentially anyone can play it. Hence its mounting popularity among the elderly, the very young and anyone who might want to avoid the pace and rigour of tennis, pickleball’s racier peer. Of course, if you like tennis, pickleball may feel like playing your preferred sport in a vat of hummus. Which is the predicament Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) finds himself in. He’s a fallen-prodigy-turned-tennis-coach, who after an injury is encouraged to build back his strength on a different kind of court, one frequented by those partial to a fanny pack and early-bird special.

The Dodgeball comparisons to The Dink are inevitable: a leftfield sport and an average Joe hero (Dusty is a corny showman who, underneath the bravado, longs for the approval of his pickleball-loathing pops). Ben Stiller even shows up as Dusty’s doctor. It’s got undeniable comedy chops behind the camera as well, courtesy of Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar filmmaker Josh Greenbaum. Yet rather than being a clean-cut David and Goliath story, The Dink instead finds its strength in the partnership of Dusty and his reluctant teammate Candace, played with boundless charm by Mary Steenburgen.

“You don’t need to have picked up the broad, light paddle used for pickleball to know what a sporting phenomenon it’s become in recent years. Its selling-point? Essentially anyone can play it. Hence its mounting popularity among the elderly, the very young and anyone who might want to avoid the pace and rigour of tennis, pickleball’s racier peer. Of course, if you like tennis, pickleball may feel like playing your preferred sport in a vat of hummus. Which is the predicament Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) finds himself in. He’s a fallen-prodigy-turned-tennis-coach, who after an injury is encouraged to build back his strength on a different kind of court, one frequented by those partial to a fanny pack and early-bird special.”

The script leans towards that frat-pack brand of humour from the era of Stiller, Owen Wilson and co., with Johnson the immature underdog, all pageantry and insults shielding the wildly insecure and misdirected person underneath. The gags, however, have a recycled feel to them and distract from Johnson’s better qualities, his strongest being connecting with his co-stars with a jovial ease. When he and Steenburgen are in hangout mode, trading playlists and watching movies, we get a glimpse of the movie that could have been: a sweet double act that would be satisfying whether it becomes romantic or not. It’s rare that we get to see Steenburgen in a larger supporting role and so when the story inevitably tapers to a pickleball showdown (although less obviously between Dusty and former tennis star Andy Roddick, playing himself) and Candace is ushered courtside, you really feel the loss of her twinkling presence. The central thrust of the plot, Dusty must win the tournament in order to appease his grouchy father (Ed Harris) and save his country club, just isn’t as strong.

There’s still plenty that makes this a pleasing popcorn movie: foul-mouthed pensioners, a couple of decent cameos, as much action as you’re going to squeeze out of a game where the ball is full of small holes. Yet bar the joyful chemistry between its top-billing talent, the script does little to nudge The Dink over the line.

– Courtesy: Empireonline.com

Rating system: *Not on your life * ½ If you really must waste your time ** Hardly worth the bother ** ½ Okay for a slow afternoon only *** Good enough for a look see *** ½ Recommended viewing **** Don’t miss it **** ½ Almost perfect ***** Perfection