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The Sports 25: The Best Thrill-of-Victory, Agony-of-Defeat Films Since 1983

25. TIN CUP
Directed by Ron Shelton (1996)
Don't understand why your buddy is always going on about his handicap or his swing or his new clubs, or why your dad sits in front of the Golf Channel all weekend refusing to answer the phone while Tiger's putting? Tin Cup is here to help. The first of two Ron Shelton-Kevin Costner collaborations on our list (see No. 5), this story of a washed-up West Texas golf pro's improbable journey to the final round of the U.S. Open reveals the driving philosophy at the heart of golf: Humans are fallible, perfection is unattainable — but there is immortality to be found in a single sweetly hit ball. Sterling supporting turns from Rene Russo and Cheech Marin help Costner nail his portrayal of another flawed but dreamy athlete.