"How can a game have such an effect on a man's soul?"
- David Cook, screenwriter, SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA

Verbose in his faith, gentle in demeanor, David Cook is an inspirational speaker, a renowned sports psychologist, and the screenwriter of SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA, starring Robert Duvall and Lucas Black. In his film he uses sports as an effective background for metaphor. And although the setting is the world of golf, the story quickly reveals itself to be that concerned with forgiveness, mercy and grace. In both his best-selling book and the film, which opens on September 2, you can see that David Cook’s gift is to guide people from success to significance.

The film opens with a young pro-golfer (Lucas Black – GET LOW, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) going through a meltdown. Driving off in a huff after a bad display on the course, he winds up in a small Texas town called Utopia. There he is taken under wing by a local eccentric (Robert Duvall) who helps him find his future direction. Also in the cast are Melissa Leo (Supporting Oscar winner for THE FIGHTER), Brian Geraghty (THE HURT LOCKER), Kathy Baker (the JESSE STONE TV movies, PICKET FENCES) and Deborah Ann Woll (HBO’S TRUE BLOOD).

In a recent phone interview, I asked the fledging filmmaker how an independent, low-budgeted film containing Christian concepts attracted such an impressive Hollywood lineup.

“I think the story is what got to Robert Duvall. We already had Lucas Black, who happens to be an amazing golfer, as well. Since we wanted this to be the most authentic golf movie ever made, we needed a real golfer in the role. It paid off. I found the golf scenes were spectacular because of Lucas. He could be a pro if he wanted. But when Duvall said yes, a domino effect began in Hollywood. ‘If he’s in it, I’m in it.’

“There are some in Hollywood who are a little afraid of faith-based movies, but when one steps out to say ‘I’m doing it,’ others are thinking it must be okay. I think we’re finding more of the walls being broken down, where actors will step out and be involved.”

P.B. After three interviews with Robert Duvall (GODS & GENERALS, SECONDHAND LIONS, and on the set of UTOPIA), I get the distinct impression that he has a spiritual side.

D.C. “Oh yeah, he’s a man of faith. I believe with certainty that he’s a Christian. I really enjoyed being with him on the set, talking about spiritual matters. And if you watch The Apostle, which he wrote, produced and directed, you realize that after spending months with that subject matter, it had to have a deep impact on him.”

P.B. I think from talking to him on the set that there’s some spiritual depth to Lucas Black, as well.

D.C. “He grew up in the South and in church. He’s a believer and this movie really meant something to him personally.”

P.B. One of the themes in the movie has to do with accidents not really being accidents.

D.C. “If you’re a man or woman of faith, you believe that there’s an orchestrator behind everything. We’re not just a random, flotational planet out in the middle of nowhere. I kind of describe it this way: many people think that life is like the back of a tapestry, a meaningless meandering of thread. But for the Believer, though it might look like that at times, God gives us glimpses over the top and we get to see the weaving that’s being done. Those glimpses are interactions with God. Some people call those coincidences; we just call them appointments with the Creator. We get to see enough of the tapestry to know that this is not merely a random mess.”

P.B. What is the main message you want filmgoers to gain from this movie?

D.C. “That there’s more. Everyone is looking for more in their life: more purpose, more fulfillment. I think a lot of people are just empty. So, I hope the movie gives them direction and indicates where that more can be found. And I think the side aspect to this movie is that it’s going to teach people great principles about performing. But also, how to keep performance in perspective. The purpose of the movie is to open a door to the possibilities of more with God. It’s not heavy-handed, but I think we did just that. And at the end of the movie, there’s an opportunity for people to continue the journey. We want this movie to be the beginning, not the end.

“Jesus used parables, he used word pictures. Movies are modern-day parables and if we use them in a right way, then we move people close to God rather than farther away.”

P.B. Are you planning a sequel?

D.C. I have written several chapters just for me, because it meant something to me. But God has to lead that. You can’t do it just because it sounds like a good idea. That said, in my heart, I do think there will be a follow up. We’ll see.”

During my interview with Mr. Cook, I was reminded of the fun day I had in Utopia, Texas last year. Along with other members of the Christian press, I was invited to the set of SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA in order to see the filmmakers bring David’s book to the screen. We were there to shake hands with the actors and interview those responsible for the film. During our stay, the publicity people thought it would be fun for us to get a golf lesson. Therefore, a famed golf pro spent an hour trying to turn each press member into a seasoned player.

Preferring the sport of air-conditioned lounging to that of hitting balls into the sun, I opted for viewing my colleagues from a country club bay window as they sweltered on the first tee. It was an entertaining experience viewing a group of Jerry Lewises as they swung away at mostly unmolested golf balls. But when the call came for each of us to have his or her picture with Lucas Black, I rushed out, grabbed a club, unaware that it was for a left-handed player, and took a stylish pose with the young movie star. With my cocked cap and leisurely stance, you'd have thought I was Arnold Palmer.

Noticing the club, Mr. Black immediately questioned, "Oh, you're a lefty?"
"No, I'm a phony," was my quick response (a gift from God). As I explained that my expertise with a club extended no further than the nonchalant camera pose, he laughed. Ever make a celebrity laugh? It's a very satisfying moment.

Satisfying – that’s also the word for SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA.