Stick: Owen Wilson Stars in a Charming but Predictable Sports Comedy

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The series titled “Stick” features Owen Wilson portraying a once-promising golfer who has fallen from grace. As he guides a promising young talent (Peter Dager), he starts to regain control of his life. This isn’t exactly an innovative plot, and AppleTV+ is attempting to market it as the next “Ted Lasso“, which might not be beneficial. However, this traditional narrative serves as a strong foundation for a half-hour comedy-drama, boasting a skilled cast. The 10-episode season offers an engaging and effortless viewing experience, even when the story falters, I found myself appreciating its intentions.

In “Stick,” I take on the role of Pryce Cahill, a golfer who had a promising career 20 years ago until a personal catastrophe sent my professional life into a downward spiral. Now, I see Santi Wheeler (Dager), a remarkable 17-year-old golf prodigy whom I intend to mentor, as my chance for redemption and re-entry into the game. Joining me on this journey are Mitts (Marc Maron), my former caddy, and Santi’s mother Elena (Mariana Treviño).

Stick Is An Uplifting If Not Entirely Original, Feel-Good Sports Story

Underwritten Characters & Overused Tropes Prevent Stick From Reaching Its Potential

The Stick, while not offering anything groundbreaking, manages to execute most aspects competently. The narrative, though largely foreseeable, effectively taps into the charm of underdog/comeback stories prevalent in sports. However, it falters in maintaining a balance between comedy and drama, resulting in jarring tonal changes at times. This inconsistency seems to improve as the series progresses. Regrettably, the humor is not always as effective as expected, leaning too heavily on worn-out tropes for laughs, and some of the emotional depth remains disappointingly shallow.

On occasion, Stick manages to navigate skillfully and present a truly heartwarming, inspiring narrative. This is largely due to the deepening relationship between Pryce and Santi, but numerous other storylines also prove emotional and captivating, with one being incredibly heart-rending. Overall, there’s much to appreciate about Stick, making it unfortunate when characters or humor feel underdeveloped or outdated, thus limiting the show’s full impact.

Stick Gives Owen Wilson A Perfect Role

And Then Surrounds Him With A Strong Supporting Cast

Wilson’s portrayal of Pryce significantly contributes to the appeal of the movie Stick. The character seems custom-made for him, fitting snugly into his persona as an endearing loser. Yet, it’s more than just a perfect fit; it’s also a growth opportunity for Wilson, offering him substantial dramatic scenes alongside the wit. His most captivating moments are shared with Dager’s Santi, where their age gap generates humor and their mutual dependence creates emotional resonance. Dager displays potential in his role, but the script could have provided more depth, allowing him to showcase a broader range of emotions.

Maron skillfully fits into his grumpy caddy persona, and he shares some memorable moments with Elena, played by Treviño, who manages to make her potentially forgettable role shine brightly. Their chemistry is palpable, and their scenes together have a touch of sitcom-like charm. After a few episodes, Lili Kay’s character Zero enters the scene, embodying progressive, gender-fluid ideas. She delivers a strong performance, but her character initially feels more like a stereotype than a fully realized person. Fortunately, as the season progresses, this issue is addressed, but it’s one of the instances where the writing in Stick seems less thoughtful and more hasty.

Judy Greer’s portrayal as Amber-Linn, Pryce’s ex-wife, is enjoyable, yet her character seems to be underdeveloped. She manages to make the best of a role that lacks substantial material. On the other hand, Timothy Olyphant delivers an exceptional performance as a past adversary of Pryce’s, leaving a lasting impact despite limited screen time.

In essence, the evaluations drawn between this program and other AppleTV+ productions like “Ted Lasso” and “Shrinking” might not be entirely fair. If judged independently, “Stick” is indeed a strong series. However, its minor flaws could potentially deter viewers, given the intense competition in streaming services. I’m optimistic that these imperfections won’t lead to viewers giving up on it because overall, it’s a series worth investing your time in.

Stick‘s first three episodes release on AppleTV+ on June 4, with new episodes weekly on Wednesdays.

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2025-06-03 22:18