‘The Dink’ Review: A Pickleball Underdog Story That Delivers Genuine Charm

Apple’s latest streaming original features Jake Johnson on a transformed tennis court, tasked with saving his family’s country club from a sport that many still struggle to take seriously. This premise perfectly encapsulates where ‘The Dink’ fits within today’s comedy landscape, firmly rooted in the tradition of scrappy underdog athletic tales that Hollywood has long produced during the summer months. Directed by Josh Greenbaum, who has a knack for blending absurdist humor with heartfelt moments, this film arrives at a time when pickleball has gained significant cultural traction.

Jake Johnson portrays Dusty Boyd, a former teenage tennis prodigy whose career was derailed by an injury, now spending his days coaching spoiled kids and harboring resentment towards the world. His father, Chuck, played with sharp precision by Ed Harris, has turned that bitterness into a full-blown crusade against pickleball’s encroachment on their family club. After Dusty re-injures himself and can no longer play tennis, he inadvertently discovers pickleball as a form of physical therapy, much to his own surprise, he begins to enjoy it.

While the setup could easily fall into forgettable territory, and at times it does rely on familiar tropes, what elevates ‘The Dink’ beyond typical streaming fare is the depth of its characters. Johnson excels at portraying individuals who are both insufferable and oddly endearing, and Dusty stands out as one of his more nuanced roles, a man so entrenched in his bitterness that witnessing his gradual transformation becomes genuinely rewarding. Ed Harris imbues Chuck with just the right mix of menace and wounded pride, ensuring that the father-son conflict feels authentic rather than cartoonish.

The film’s standout performance comes from Mary Steenburgen as Candace, a recently divorced club member who becomes Dusty’s pickleball partner and eventual counterpart. Their interactions spark with a chemistry that the rest of the film occasionally struggles to match, and the gradual development of their relationship is handled with surprising restraint for a movie filled with broad humor. Aaron Chen, as Dusty’s quirky friend PJ, delivers some of the biggest laughs by embracing his eccentricities without seeking easy sympathy, while the climactic tournament segment, featuring real tennis personalities in exaggerated roles, injects much-needed energy into the film’s latter half.

Not every element hits the mark. Some comedic setups are predictable, and there are moments where the film seems torn between satirizing sports movie clichés or indulging in them. A few supporting storylines, particularly those involving other club members, feel like they belong in a broader ensemble comedy and don’t quite earn their screen time. The pacing also falters slightly in the middle, just when emotional stakes should be intensifying.

Despite these shortcomings, I found myself charmed by how earnestly ‘The Dink’ embraces its own absurdity. It recognizes the ridiculousness of crafting a redemption story around a sport still seeking respect, leaning into that absurdity rather than shying away from it. A warmth permeates the film, preventing it from ever feeling cynical, even when some jokes miss the mark.

I left ‘The Dink’ pleasantly surprised, largely due to the chemistry between Johnson and Steenburgen and a script that possesses more heart than its silly premise would suggest. While it stumbles with pacing and occasionally opts for the obvious punchline, the sincerity at its core keeps it buoyant. I’m giving it a 7 out of 10, a genuinely enjoyable watch that earns its underdog conclusion, even if it takes a winding path to get there.

Have you seen ‘The Dink’ yet, and does my assessment align with your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments.