Golf-Themed Comedy Digs Deep Into Social Inequality

Read Time:2 Minute, 43 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Country Club
–

Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Fiona Robert
Writer(s): Fiona Robert, Sophia Robert
Cast: Elaine Hendrix, John Higgins, James Urbaniak, Fiona Robert, and Steve Higgins
Where To Watch: available On Demand June 23, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: THE COUNTRY CLUB, a delightful comedy from the minds of Fiona and Sophia Robert, the real-life sister duo, leave no stone unturned in their creation, mixing solid comedy with a teen drama. In this somewhat meta exploration of the game of golf, they tackle the roles of lead actors, co-directors, and screenwriters.

The narrative of THE COUNTRY CLUB follows the journey of Elsa and Tina Cartwright, two youthful spirits on the cusp of adulthood, skilfully brought to life by Sophia and Fiona, respectively. The sisters, with dreams of a fashion enterprise and imminent college expenses, are trapped in a financial crisis. The path to this solution lies within the boundaries of an exclusive country club's junior golf tournament. A clerical blunder hands Elsa an invitation to this event, promising a significant cash reward as the golden ticket out of their monetary woes.

Sometimes the film feels more like a direct-to-video kids' movie, but in a weird way that adds a bit of nostalgic charm. It paints a vivid picture of stately mansions, high hedges, and staunch social circles, all creating this stereotypical Country Club feel. Beyond being a comedy centered around golf, THE COUNTRY CLUB morphs into an intelligent critique of societal inequality, woven with threads of adolescent romance, friendships, and a unique fondness for golf.

Fiona and Sophia Robert infuse their storyline with humor and capture the luxurious ambiance of the country club. Their most significant stumbling block is the somewhat shallow characters; they may have had too many in the cast or taken on too many roles. THE COUNTRY CLUB isn't afraid to walk on the wild side, sometimes tipping the scales toward teenage humor and from adolescent awkwardness and bathroom humor, making it feel as if Wes Anderson directed an AMERICAN PIE movie that Disney released.

While it may hit a few bunkers in its character arcs, THE COUNTRY CLUB makes up for these minor flaws by painting a vivid dynamic of the characters' engagements within the snobby setting of the country club. An amusing balance unfolds as the sisters hustle through the club's operations.

Despite a few wayward shots, THE COUNTRY CLUB is a winning round of comedy golf, populated by quirky characters, unexpected plot swings, and a distinctive script. The film serves as a respectable podium for Fiona and Sophia Robert to display their wide-ranging skills in both acting and filmmaking. In essence, THE COUNTRY CLUB is a cinematic expedition that illuminates and satirizes the quirks hidden within society's elite circles.

For more reviews, please visit – https://linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews for more info.

Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of GOOD DEED ENTERTAINMENT]