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Review: Seven Days in Utopia

This heavy-on-the-religious-overtones golf drama misses the green entirely.

By Andrew Schenker

For pro golfer Luke Chisholm (Black), an emotional breakdown is nothing that can’t be fixed by spending a week among the godly folk of Seven Days in Utopia’s eponymous Texas hamlet, population 375. As our man takes putting (and life!) lessons from PGA star turned small-town recluse Johnny Crawford (Duvall), he learns to answer the call of a higher power and overcome daddy issues with credulity-straining ease. Meanwhile, director Matt Russell shamelessly pitches woo to the already converted with an unholy barrage of heavy-handed flashbacks and phony Christian uplift. If any film ever needed a mulligan….

Follow Andrew Schenker on Twitter: @aschenker

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August 29, 2011

Comments

"Phony Christian uplift"??????? This reviewer could use some uplift in general. If this had been a movie about the golfer meeting Mohammed, then he would have wet himself praising it! Phony review - - typical slam of anything remotely virtuous. He probably prefers movies where the woman gets raped, the kids are paralyzed with fear, and the seamy side of life prevails. What a dork.

By Missusmanners (not verified) on 9/24/2011 at 3:21 pm

Refreshing and uplifting. Why would anyone be upset about wholesome, honest entertainment - except a cynic! What is your purpose in life???

By Lois (not verified) on 9/19/2011 at 9:02 pm

I often look out over the world I know and wonder if people in a place like NY could ever relate to Small Town, oh, lets say, Texas. The kind of town where the social life is centered around the church and not the clubs and strip joints. (Which seem to show up gratuitously in just about every movie these days) There is no harm that will befall you from seeing this movie and more importantly no harm will come to your child. Try it!

By Anonymous (not verified) on 9/18/2011 at 8:20 pm

My husband & I saw this movie today and really enjoyed seeing one that is uplifting and tells a real good story. It was very refreshing not to have to listen to filthy language with every sentence which is so often the case in most of the ones these days. I have always liked Duvall and he did not disappoint in this one being the good actor he is! Hope to see many more like this & it will have good reviews from people like us telling our friends.The critics should be ashamed of the awful comments they made..that is why I never believe any of them.

By Anonymous (not verified) on 9/16/2011 at 10:19 pm

This movie sounds as if it would be like gargling maple syrup.

By Merle (not verified) on 9/16/2011 at 4:50 pm

FYI~For the Christian review of movies check out http://www.pluggedin.com/ Here you'll get the truth on what is worth spending your time and hard earned money on. God Bless~Elizabeth

By Elizabeth (not verified) on 9/14/2011 at 2:05 am

Open your eys Mr. Schenker and see the beauty in this film. God created you and me and all that is good. It just shows that this world is SO in need of prayers and the love of God. Try it...you just might like it!

By Elizabeth (not verified) on 9/14/2011 at 1:58 am

Why are people so scared of watching a faith based film? Are you afraid you might really like it. As many struggles this nation faces we are in need of a savior. Give the movie a chance I know for those of us whom are believers certainly have to put up with the movies without good character.

By Terri (not verified) on 9/13/2011 at 2:36 pm

One of the best movies Iv seen this year. Dont listen to the critic who has blind faith. This has a message that we all need to hear and follow in todays very troubled world

By Anonymous on 9/13/2011 at 12:08 pm

I can't believe the reviews of this movie just because it is "Faith Based". Great lesson to be learned and then taught and passed on from this movie and just remember our country WAS based originally on "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" and I STILL believe it is and should be. Don't miss sharing this life lesson with the youth of today who will be adults of tomorrow!!!

By howardgirl (not verified) on 9/13/2011 at 9:20 am