If You Enjoyed the Movie Hawk, There Is Another Movie You Should Definitely Watch.
No one does sports comedy quite like Will Ferrell. His loud, rude, and slightly unhinged (okay, often extremely unhinged) comedic persona is perfect for the character of Lonnie Hawkins, aka Hawk, an aging former professional golfer seeking his last shred of glory while comically getting in his own way. The greatest strength of Hawk is its precise tuning: Ferrell’s chaos perfectly contrasts with the prim and proper world of golf, generating rousing laughs and possessing a strong emotional core. If you’re looking for more sports madness, you should immediately hop on Apple TV and watch Dink .
Why You Should Watch ‘Dink’ If You Liked ‘Hawk’
If there’s an actor who can match Will Ferrell’s unbridled energy, it’s Jake Johnson. Though Johnson is typically a bit quieter in his approach, he’s one of the few modern comedians who can deliver both a ridiculous tantrum and a screaming tirade with equal conviction, and he’s in top form in Dink . Johnson plays Dusty “The Hammer” Boyd, a tennis prodigy known for his incredibly accurate and powerful serve. When he breaks his wrist during a match with another rising player, Andy Roddick (yes, that Andy Roddick), he loses his chance at success and the respect of his father, Chuck (Ed Harris, in a sour mood). As an adult, he works as an instructor at his father’s tennis club, still haunted by the memory of his failure and his father’s disappointment.
Dusty is hilarious: full of rage, constantly followed by his helpful assistant PJ (Aaron Chen) who fuels his delusions of grandeur, and absolutely, categorically opposed to pickleball in any form. When club member Skip Pigliani (Patton Oswalt) advocates for an official pickleball court, Chuck agrees to settle the matter with a “tennis duel” in accordance with the club’s bylaws. Dusty wins the opportunity to represent the club in the duel, but injures his hand, and Chuck replaces him. Chuck is advised to play pickleball as a form of rehabilitation, which leads him to meet Candace (Mary Steenburgen). Gradually, Dusty realizes how retarded he has been his entire life—and how much he has lied to himself about the reasons for his mediocrity.
Along the way, however, we see plenty of Dusty’s hilarious outbursts and a ton of over-the-top humor that would make Ferrell proud. The final “duel ” is one of the funniest scenes in any pickleball movie, including Chuck inviting Andy Roddick to play against Dusty and the surprise appearance of John McEnroe, eating hot dogs and providing hilarious commentary. Dink is funny, but it also has a lot of heart, touching on themes of newfound family, how competition can turn into obsession, and, yes, pickleball. If you liked Hawk , this is the perfect sequel. Watch Dink on Apple TV .
If you liked the movie “Hawk”, check out other movies too.
Looking for even more sports chaos in your moviegoing experience? Here are a few more films that perfectly match the atmosphere created by “The Hawk.”
Caddyshack (1980)
If you loved the snobs-versus-slobs theme of Hawkeye , you definitely need to check out this brilliant golf comedy. The behind-the-scenes footage of Caddyshack is almost as wild as the on -screen comedy, and the film represents the pinnacle of Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield (with ample support from a truly insane Ted Knight) as they (sometimes literally) overact at the ultra-hip Bushwood Country Club. There’s a plot there, but it’s mostly just some brilliant comedians having a great time on the golf course, and fans of Hawkeye will love it—especially Dangerfield’s loud and proud Al Czerwik. Rent Caddyshack on Prime Video .
Happy Gilmore (1996)
If you’re looking for more golf comedies that teeter on the edge of absurdity with what scientists call enthusiasm , this Adam Sandler classic is a must-see. Sandler stars as the title character, an aspiring hockey player with a powerful shot, no other skills, and serious anger issues. When he needs to make a ton of money to save his grandmother’s house, he discovers that his shooting skills also transfer to his golf swing—and begins extorting money from golfers. When he’s recruited by former golf star Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers) to compete in a professional tournament, Happy is forced to up his game and control his anger—and since this is an Adam Sandler movie, you can guess how badly he’s doing it. If only to see Sandler and Bob Barker have an incredibly long fight . Rent Happy Gilmore on Prime Video .
Talladega Knights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
If you were drawn to Will Ferrell’s wackiness in Hawkeye , you’re in for a treat. Talladega Knights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is Ferrell’s finest sports comedy, combining his signature absurdity with a surprisingly sophisticated take on professional racing. It’s clear everyone involved truly loves NASCAR and knows exactly how to have a good laugh, and everyone delivers top-notch performances, from Ferrell to John C. Reilly to Sacha Baron Cohen as Ricky Bobby’s nemesis, real-life Frenchman Jean Girard. Rent Talladega Knights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby on Prime Video .
Tin Mug (1996)
If you’re looking for a golf comedy with a softer, less frenetic edge, watch “Tin Mug.” Kevin Costner plays Roy McAvoy, a former pro golfer who missed his big chance and is now mired in alcoholic mediocrity. When he meets and falls in love with Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo), who is dating his former colleague David Simms (Don Johnson), Roy decides to take a (very) big risk to qualify for the U.S. Open. It’s a different kind of humor, equally “golfy,” and a slightly more serious take on a similar plot. Rent “Tin Mug” on Prime Video .
Dodgeball: A True Story of an Underdog (2004)
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more wacky sports comedy, this is it. Dodgeball: A True Loser’s Story takes arguably the most hated high school game of all time and squeezes tons of laughs out of it. To save their failing gym, Peter LaFleur (Vince Vaughn) and his friends enter a dodgeball competition in Las Vegas and find themselves drawn into a game against Peter’s nemesis, rival gym owner Wyatt Goodman (a very cheerful Ben Stiller), and his team of rigged players. If you hear the phrase “Rip Torn in a wheelchair throwing wrenches at people” and instinctively laugh, this is the movie for you. Watch Dodgeball: A True Loser’s Story on Hulu or rent it on Prime Video .