Apple TV+'s Stick can't be fully saved by Owen Wilson's heartfelt performance, no matter how hard it tries.

Stick, a new comedy show on Apple TV+, promised to be a feel-good sports story that would be just as excellent as other popular sports shows. Owen Wilson plays Pryce Cahill, a washed-up former pro golfer who is seeking to get a second shot by teaching a young prodigy. The program wants to tell a beautiful story about finding family and atonement, but Owen Wilson's subtle and genuinely emotional performance is what really makes the show work, often making up for its obvious flaws.

I thought Stick would be a funny golf movie, and in some ways, it is. The show does have some funny parts, but it often has trouble balancing them with the more serious parts, which can make the tone change suddenly. Even if there are some problems with the story, Wilson's performance as Pryce Cahill is a highlight. It lets him show a another aspect of his acting abilities that fans might not often see in his more famous comedic performances.

The show is clearly better because to Owen Wilson's performance as Pryce Cahill.

Wilson's ability to show deep emotion makes the show more than just a genre.

Owen Wilson is definitely the best thing about Stick. He still has his trademark laid-back charm and unique voice, but he now gives Pryce Cahill a deep grief and vulnerability that is quite heartbreaking. Wilson has a lot of emotional ground to cover because Pryce's past includes a personal tragedy and a public breakdown that destroyed his golf career. We find out that Pryce's little son Jett died, and this loss is what drives his character's story.

A really powerful scene in the series, especially in episode 6, is when Pryce thinks about how much he misses Jett. He says that the worst part isn't missing big events like graduations or weddings, but the little things that happen every day as a father, like arguing over bedtime. This direct and honest portrayal of loss is where Wilson really shines. He gives a dramatic performance that makes Pryce's redemption journey interesting and very moving. Wilson is a great writer because he can show such deep melancholy while still keeping the character's underlying hope. This performance lets Wilson exhibit a more serious, thoughtful side of himself. He has moved past the strain he felt early in his career when he thought that doing badly would be the end of the world.

Wilson has talked openly about his own mental health problems, and it appears like his own troubles are reflected in how he plays Pryce, who is also at rock bottom. He has talked about how hard times make him think of how much he needs family and friends. This is a theme that runs through the show, which is about a "found family." This emotional connection to the material definitely makes his performance more real and deep, making Pryce Cahill a guy we really want to win, even when the production surrounding him isn't as good.

Stick's problems with golf realism and character mistakes Keep It Back

It's hard to ignore the show's unlikable characters and golf mistakes.

Owen Wilson, on the other hand, gives a great performance. However, the movie has been criticized for its inconsistent golf realism and some of its supporting characters. Many people, especially serious golfers, have pointed out many mistakes that disrupt the immersion in a show on golf. Things like a prodigy reaching a 200-yard marker with an iron or a mid-round tantrum not getting them disqualified seem too far-fetched. People have even become angry with specific stroke descriptions, such how to teach a draw by opening the club face (which really makes a fade). Some people would say that a comedy doesn't need to be completely realistic, but the fact that the show tries to be based on the sport makes these mistakes stand out more.

Some characters in Stick are hard to connect with, even when they're not playing golf. Santi, a young golf prodigy, is often grumpy and doesn't want to hear what others have to say. Elena, his mother, begins off by asking for a large coaching fee, which makes her less likable, even though she gradually warms up. Many fans, on the other hand, have found Zero, played by Lilli Kay, to be the most controversial figure. As Santi's possible love interest and later his caddie, Zero has been called a "genderqueer anticapitalist post-colonial feminist." Many people have said that this character is a stereotype. A lot of people, especially those who play golf online, didn't like Zero and thought the character was too much of a presence on the show. This creative choice, which may have been meant to make it more relevant to present times, ended up turning off some of the audience.

I agree with the idea that Owen Wilson and Marc Maron's Mitts (who often provide much-needed comic relief) have good performances, but the connection between the whole group isn't always believable, notably between Santi and Zero. The show doesn't often realize its full potential as a truly fascinating dramedy since it uses too many tired cliches and doesn't give its characters enough depth.

Stick is a unique comfort viewing experience, even though it has several problems.

Is Stick a "Smile-Ear-To-Ear" Show or a Missed Chance?

Stick has gotten a mixed but mostly good response from reviewers, with a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (however audience scores are lower at 59%). Some people have called it a "sweet, lovely, funny show" and a "hangout comedy" that is "always a smile-ear-to-ear show." People have said that it's like Ted Lasso since it makes you feel good and is set in a sports scene, but it's not quite as excellent.

Jason Keller, the show's creator, wanted to look at a character who hadn't lived up to expectations. In that way, Stick does create a good framework for a dramedy about second chances and found family. The story can be predictable, but Pryce's emotional journey, especially his relationship with Santi, has some truly moving moments. It's a show that doesn't ask too much of the audience. It's a fun watch, especially for people who like golf, because it doesn't require too much thought.

In the end, Stick is a show that depends a lot on Owen Wilson's star power and ability to act dramatically. Wilson's sincere performance as Pryce Cahill makes it worth watching, even though the script and character development don't always hit the mark. It's a reminder that a terrific central performance can carry a lot of weight and give people a good reason to keep watching, even if the show has some obvious problems.

You can watch new episodes of Stick on Apple TV+.