In the jargon of the game of golf a mulligan is a second chance at a messed up shot. In the jargon of film synopsis Mulligan is a movie about a day in the life of four friends as they play a round of golf. Writer, producer, director, Tim Vandesteeg has given each of his four characters a distinctive
voice and he harmonizes their songs into a single story that plays like a barbershop quartet.

The bass line is sung by the leader of the group. He is in the front lines of change and his song is a rallying cry for his friends to join him there. As the bass he backs the other three members with advice and example and we get the feeling that just as they have followed this charismatic young
man before they will follow him into change, and yet each have to find their own way.

The tenor is sung by the Joker of the group. Throughout the movie he lets loose with a series of quips and put-downs showing us that the Joker is very much aware of how much of a joke his life has become. Wisely, this fool chooses to take his first steps in the direction of change when he ends his self-deprecating song with a ‘let's live together’ proposal to his girlfriend.

The only one of the characters whose song does not modulate is the Player. As the alto, he sings the counterpoint to change. From beginning to end his song is one of contentment There are patches of discontent here and there, but on the whole we get the feeling that the Player is going to
keep right on playing the same old games.

As always, the soprano sings the melody and Vandesteeg has no qualms about admitting that the role of the bartender who dreams of being a writer was patterned after himself. Like the dreamer, it wasn't until Vandesteeg stopped saying that he was a writer and sat down to pound the keys of his laptop, that he
actually became a writer. And, just like his counterpart in the movie, what he wound up writing was a movie about a day in the life of four friends as they play a round of golf.

So is this golf course quartet an original song? Not really but it is an old song very well presented. Is it art? No, but it is clear evidence that Tim Vandesteeg has the capacity to make art one day. Meantime we'll accept Mulligan as a great first effort.