Apple TV #1 Movie Is a Cliched & Predictable Sports Comedy That Doesn't Deserve a Watch

The Dink, a sports comedy about pickleball, a sport that has been encroaching on tennis courts in the US in recent years, has been released on Apple TV.

Despite its star-studded cast and interesting subject matter, The Dink turned out to be a predictable, cliche-ridden comedy that offers nothing new.

What Is 'The Dink' About?

Dustin Boyd was once a promising tennis player, but a freak arm injury ended his career. He now works as a youth coach at the tennis club owned by his father, Chuck, who treats him coldly.

A conflict is brewing at the club: pickleball players are demanding more courts. Chuck decides to push back, proposing that they settle the dispute with a match. During the selection process, Dusty injures his arm again. On a doctor's advice, he tries his hand at pickleball.

Initially, he disdains the idea, but he gradually reevaluates his attitude toward the sport and his own life.

'The Dink' Is a Typical Sports Comedy With a Predictable Plot and a Lack of Originality

The Dink follows a well-trodden genre path: the main character enters an unfamiliar world, initially rejects it, makes friends, and is gradually drawn in. By the end, he realizes that clinging to the past isn't worth it and that one must be open to new experiences.

This predictability is The Dink's main problem – it never breaks the mold of the standard sports comedy and offers nothing surprising.

The premise seems like an attempt to replicate the success of Goon and Happy Gilmore, yet The Dink lacks the spark that made those movies cult classics.

The jokes are pleasant but forgettable, creating a comfortable atmosphere reminiscent of other Apple TV good-natured series like Ted Lasso and Shrinking.

'The Dink' Lacks Dramatic Depth and Outstanding Acting Performances

Neither the protagonist's complicated relationship with his father nor his unresolved past feels particularly significant – these storylines remain in the background and, when they come to the forefront, come across as caricatures.

The cast delivers competent performances, but nothing more. Unfortunately, Ben Stiller is given little to do beyond a few jokes. Mary Steenburgen, playing Dusty's pickleball partner, and Ed Harris, playing the stern, distant father, are the only standouts.

The movie's greatest strength is its decision to forgo the obvious romantic subplot. At first, it seems a romance is brewing between the characters, but the movie subverts expectations, delivering the only truly unexpected emotional moment.

However, that isn't enough to save the movie. The Dink falls flat – it's just another streaming movie you watch once and forget about the next day.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Dink'?

• The Dink has 73% from critics and 60% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.1/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Dink scored 2.8/5.0.