Austin, Texas, is celebrated in The Salamander King, a comedy film from director Austin Nichols and screenwriter Drew Mackintosh. The Austin Municipal Golf Course, aka Muny, is a local hangout. It is a vibrant place where anything can happen! Children receive golf lessons, medieval roleplay occurs on the fairway, and the employees treat each other like family. The golf course is run by Ray Mueller, the “Salamander King” (Ryan Hansen), who takes pride in making it a “home” for the community. He is anticipating renewal of the lease on the property when a Californian city planner, Samantha Lambert (Adrianne Palicki), shakes things up. She tells him the property is losing money and in need of repair. Ray is resistant to her changes because he wants to keep it affordable, while Samantha believes it needs to meet the standards of professional golf courses. She is doing this on behalf of the Austin City Council; they are firm believers in profit and urbanization.
This causes friction between Ray and his staff. Employees, Roberta (Dulce Sloan) and Danny (Bobo Hoang), appreciate the modern advancements, but Dale (Bill Wise) feels the course has lost its character. The clientele has changed from eclectic to upper class. Samantha grows to love the ragtag misfits and falls in love with Ray. She ends up at odds with her wealthy boyfriend, Dylan (Justin Chatwin), as he looks down on the scrappy Muny crew. This forces Samantha to join the Muny gang and put on Ray’s Loose Cannon fundraiser to save the golf course!
“…anticipating renewal of the lease on the property when a Californian city planner… shakes things up.”
The Salamander King will make you grin from ear to ear! Drew Mackintosh’s screenplay is superbly written because each character stands out. Ray and the Muny crew are all lovable in their own way. Dale was my favorite because he was so country and the heart of the group! Mackintosh uses the cliché “let’s save the favorite place” plotline, making it character-driven. Audiences have seen this plot before in films like The Blues Brothers and The Muppets (2011). Austin Nichols does an exceptional job directing the cast. Ryan Hansen toes the line perfectly between cocky loser and goofball in his performance as Ray. The supporting players are hilarious, especially Bobo Hoang. Hoang has a great future in comedy films. Editors Noam Klement and Brian Scofield keep the pacing lively and incorporate creative montages. Klement and Scofield’s montage reveals changes to Muny, is smartly crafted, and works thanks to the insert shots and whip pans by cinematographer Peter B. Kowalski.
Austin Nichols has a hit on his hands. The Salamander King is ripe for the summer season! It is another great golf comedy and deserves to be alongside Caddyshack and Happy Gilmore.
"…Samantha grows to love the ragtag misfits and falls in love with Ray. She ends up at odds with her wealthy boyfriend, Dylan..."
