Review of the Upcoming Golf Movie "The Squeeze"

I've never done a movie review before, so here's my first crack at my role of being Gene Siskel.  I recently watched a new movie titled "The Squeeze" which was written, directed and produced by 7-time Emmy award winner Terry Jastrow.  The movie is based on a true story. It tells a story of a modest young man with exceptional golf skills who gets caught up in big time gambling matches in which the stakes get bigger and bigger until they become life or death.

The Squeeze stars Jeremy Sumpter (Peter Pan and Friday Night Lights), Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore and Requiem for a Dream), Jillian Murray (Never Back Down and Cougar Hunting), Katherine LaNasa (The Campaign and Alfie) and Michael Nouri (Flashdance and The Proposal).  

The Story

When Augie Baccas (Jeremy Sumpter), a common man of uncommon skills, living in a small rural town, wins his one day City Golf Championship by 15 shots breaking his own course record, a dapper Southern gentleman gambler, Riverboat (Chris McDonald) and his over-the-top bejeweled wife, Jessie (Katherine LaNasa) who are driving cross country from Mississippi to Las Vegas hear of this uncommonly gifted young golfer on local radio. They turn off the highway and head for the local muni course to find young Augie and convince him to abandon his dreams of qualifying for the US Open and come play for Riverboat in high-stake gambling matches.

Angering his long time girlfriend Natalie (Jillian Murray) beyond words as she watches him abandon his dreams and compromise his integrity, Augie continues to use his uncommon talent to win higher and higher stakes matches until they’re finally run out of town and head for Las Vegas. Playing for even higher stakes, Augie finds himself pitted against notorious Vegas gambler Jimmy Diamonds (Michael Nouri) who has known connections to the mob. Augie continues to win every match until Jimmy Diamonds, fed up with the scam, breaks into Augie’s hotel room and informs him if he doesn’t lose the next day’s million dollar match he’ll end up at the bottom of a swimming pool wearing lead boots. Fearing for his life, Augie attempts to escape but is discovered by a very angry Riverboat who counters with a similar fate. Win or lose, he’s dead.

Thumbs Up or Down?

I've watched many golf movies before and I can honestly say that this has been the best one so far.  It's a fun movie that tells an interesting story and has you pushing for Augie the whole way through.  The actors in the movie can actually play golf...and play it well.  Since it's based on a true story, The Squeeze gives you a good insight into golf and big time gambling.  I give this movie two thumbs up and I highly recommend it for golf enthusiasts or for anyone who's looking for an entertaining and realistic movie. 

The Squeeze will be available on DVD and video on demand on June 9th.  I highly suggest you take some time to sit down and be entertained for 95 minutes (plus, Jillian Murray is easy on the eyes).