The Back Nine

Jon Fitzgerald's golf-themed documentary The Back Nine, co-directed by Ron Vignone, demonstrates that there's a fine line between chasing a dream and succumbing to manic midlife-crisis self-obsession. Amateur golfer Fitzgerald sets up what starts out as an effective dramatic device: at 40, he vows to pursue his dream of playing competitive golf on the PGA Tour. Fitzgerald has already been a successful film festival organizer for his alternative-to-Sundance endeavor Slamdance. Now struggling with a family, a precarious financial situation, and a profound sense of age-related urgency, he recruits a veritable army of gurus—everyone from a “golf yoga instructor” to a “mental game expert.” Some of these dubious mystics analyze his physical moves and others apply their seemingly transcendent spiritual powers to help Fitzgerald “think” his way to success. At first, his progress is inspiring; but as some serious family- and work-related issues begin to hamper his all-consuming pastime, his romantic quest for nirvana starts to resemble something between sybaritic leisure-seeking and selfish fantasy-chasing. Even spending time with his newborn baby becomes secondary to pursuing his eventual shot at the amateur national championships. Much like Fitzgerald himself, the film tries to accomplish much more than it can actually handle. DVD extras include an audio commentary, deleted scenes, golf tips, and a brief history of the game. Optional. Aud: C, P. (M. Sandlin)