The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) User Reviews

Will Smith and Matt Damon playing golf for two hours, much better than it sounds

[ExpendableMan · 7/10 · 22 October 2007]

The thing you have to bear in mind when watching The Legend of Bagger Vance is that sports movies, by their very definition, tend to match the atmosphere of the sport they depict. Football or Ice hockey movies for instance tend to be loud, bombastic and flashy, just like the games themselves. Basketball movies meanwhile often rely on the street/hip hop connection and are just as loud, but with a slightly more gritty edge to them, provided you completely forget about the atrocious Space Jam. Bagger Vance on the other hand revolves entirely around golf and consequently, is a lot quieter, slower paced and gentle than its brash genre cousins, but it nevertheless possesses a charm and subtlety that is quite endearing.

Told completely in flashback, the film's story involves Matt Damon's depressed World War One veteran Rannulph Junnuh taking part in a highly publicised golf tournament against two established (real life) professionals - Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones. At first things don't look good, Junnuh hasn't played the game since getting back from the trenches and is a slovenly drunken washout. Despite having the support of the townsfolk, nobody really expects him to win. And then he gets a new caddy in the shape of Bagger Vance (Will Smith).

At this point I imagine alarm bells are ringing in your head. Will Smith must mean wise-cracking, one-liners and the word 'damn' being stretched out so that it consists of two syllables right? Well you'll be relieved to know that Bagger is a pleasant change of direction for the normal Smith stereotype. Relaxing on his heels and working his acting muscles instead of his action hero ones, Smith is the undeniable soul of the movie. His eminently likable charm is still there, but he relies more on home spun wisdom and gentle prodding to help Damon back into his game, rather than calling him names and effecting a cocky swagger. Playing off against him, Matt Damon is suitably vulnerable and insecure but is overshadowed a bit. Thankfully, Junnuh's redemption and Vance's easy going friendship is enough to carry the film and the story, while corny, is just as charming as the title character.

Elsewhere, director Robert Redford once again shows off his knack for beautiful cinematography. As most of the film takes place on golf courses you're never too far away from some gorgeous scenery and the contrast between the vibrant green vegetation and stunning blue sky makes Bagger Vance a feast for the eyes. Given the film's somewhat slow pace, it also makes this an ideal choice for a wet Sunday afternoon where you'd like to go for a walk and appreciate the countryside but are unable to thanks to the rain.

That said, Bagger Vance still has its faults. The writing is a bit hackneyed and anyone who doesn't like cheese would do well to stay away. Junnuh's love interest sub-plot with golf promoter Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron) meanwhile feels tacked on and unnecessary, as though somewhere along the production line someone decided that if Junnuh was to fully come to terms with himself he'd have to get it on with a sweet country belle. The positives outweigh the negatives though and if you're in the mood for a relaxing, slow paced movie with a lot of subtleties that not everyone will appreciate, you can't really go wrong with Bagger Vance. This is a film to watch with your feet up, the house clean and a big mug of hot chocolate in your hand. And refreshingly enough for a sports movie, it doesn't feature a scene where a big crowd begins cheering wildly while over-the-top power ballads play in the background, that alone should be enough to raise an eyebrow or two.

Guess I was just in the mood

[Willie-12 · 8/10 · 8 November 2000]

Maybe it was because I had a hard week at work. Maybe it was because I just needed something to make me feel good. I don't know. I can't pinpoint it, but for some reason I really liked this movie. Sure it was manipulative, and sure it tried it's best to make you feel all mushy inside, but you know what...I guess I was just in the mood for that, and this movie hit the spot last Friday night. From a cinematography stand point the movie is beautiful. Redford is known for this trait, and indeed has directed some of the most beautiful movies ever made (A River Runs Through It, The Milagro Beanfield War, The Horse Whisperer). He just chooses some very beautiful scenery and runs with it. However, besides the scenery, the movie seemed to flow like a steady river. The acting was superb (even Smith's subdued Bagger), and the story was interesting. I like golf, so maybe that helped, but I do think that anyone can enjoy this movie. You just have to let yourself like it.

The perfect stroke

[mirkobozic · 7/10 · 8 June 2018]

The Legend of Bagger Vance is one of those movies that are all about feeling good and inspiring messages all of which we have seen a trillion times before.: Chocolat, You've got Mail, etc. Yet, it kind of works and Redford succeeds in persuading you to stay till the ending credits though the core of the story is not a romantic plot but rather the personal development of the Matt Damon's character Junuh. Will Smith's character Bagger Vance comes to his rescue as a mysterious, yet charismatic caddie who helps him regain not only his self-confidence but also his status. The film is interwoven with magical realism of Vance, although there's not much more to him than delivering motivational speeches and puzzling everyone regarding where he came from and why he's on Junuh's side in the first place. A large part of the charm of the film is the beautiful setting of Savannah, and a very luscious Charlize Theron playing a glamorous local socialite who incites the exhibition golf match around which the whole story is revolving. With all this, it's a light , inspiring afternoon entertainment in a stylish package. You probably won't regret seeing it, but it's not exactly on par with equally feel-good vehicles like Forrest Gump. To paraphrase Vance, it's not exactly the perfect strike, but it goes in the right direction (pun intended).

greatly misunderstood story, completely underrated classic

[asexpected · 22 November 2004]

Having watched this film more times than I can remember and reading the comments left so far I feel that a major message of this film has gone completely overlooked. Even as a complete golf addict, I can look beyond the obvious inspirational story and see than the focus is on Junah's battle with faith, and why does nobody mention that Bagger Vance is a guardian angel? I'm not a religious person so please don't get the wrong idea but is it not obvious at the end when old Hardy Greaves dies and Bagger appears on the horizon? "I'm right here with ya, I've been here all along..." And please Junah's trauma was caused by WW1 NOT WW2 - it is 1930 (WW2 did not start until 1939!) OK,the direction by Redford is fantastic with the portrayal of the characters done (and acted) extremely well. Will Smith and Matt Damon play the roles brilliantly, especially Smith. Perhaps Damon seems a little young to be a veteran at times though, but all the same-flawless. Theron, physically, looks perfect for the role but, like Damon, not a woman assumedley in her mid-thirties. I only wish more money could have been spent on this film and it would have been made into the epic it deserves to be. Far more than a simple, soft inspirational story. One must look beyond to see the real message, oh and if your not a golfer, you might not completely 'get it'.

Film 8.5/10 Story 10/10

Very underrated flick

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 14 April 2013]

This is a movie I very much like, and last evening as I was watching it for maybe the 4th time I tried to focus on why it wasn't more popular. I think what it comes down to is that there's an awfully lot of time in the movie spent on the course...so if you're not a golfer or not "into" golf, that might bore you. And I tried to compare that in my mind with films about other sports, and it seems to me there is much more time spent on the links here, than might be spent on the diamond for most baseball films or on the field for most football films.

Having said that, there are few things I would complain about regarding this film...but then again, I like gold. It does seem to me that some hint of Bagger in the climactic WWI scenes would have helped tie the film together. And visually realizing at the end of the film that Bagger has not aged, even though it is 60 years later would have been helpful...again to tie the beginning and end of the film together.

In terms of performances here, I was impressed, and here's why: yes, we can get a sense of whether someone is a truly good actor in an action pic, but what can they do in a serious film? And, with the exception of "Six Degrees Of Separation" (in which he had a supporting role), this was Will Smith's first serious film...and he comported himself very well. Matt Damon had less to prove here, having been in a number of serious films, but he also does very well here in a role where in various scenes he has to be very up or very down...and he balances it all pretty well. Similarly Charlize Theron continued her series of fine performances here...certainly one of our most stunningly beautiful actresses. Bruce McGill as Walter Hagen is wonderful, and he is a supporting actor I have come to have a great deal of respect for. Joel Gretsch is equally good as Bobby Jones, and I'm surprised we don't see him in more feature films, although he is quite active in television. J. Michael Moncrief as the young Hardy Greaves...well, I had mixed feelings here...a little uneven...but pretty good. And of course, it was nice to see an ailing (both in the film and in real life) Jack Lemmon. Lane Smith a newspaper man was also a welcome addition to the film, although his role was not overly substantial here.

My guess is that if you really "get" the psyche of golf, you'll love this movie. If you don't, there may be parts that bore you, but you can still enjoy some very fine performances. But make no mistake...this is a "serious" film.

The great game of golf

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 24 March 2018]

What I really liked about The Legend Of Bagger Vance is the great care that director Robert Redford did in evoking the feel and ambiance of Savannah, Georgia in the Great Depression. I really did feel like I was back in that time watching this story about a match between the greatest golfers of their era, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. A match where a local man, Matt Damon gave the greats a run for their money.

Harve Presnell one of Savannah's leading citizens has invested everything in the development of a new golf course and when stock market crashed he loses everything and takes his own life. Staving off her father's creditors Charlize Theron vows that this course will open and will feature a match between the two best of their time Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. However for a little local rooting interest the townsfolk insist on a local player in with the big guys.

Said local player is Matt Damon who went to war in 1917 and came out bitter, disillusioned and drunk. Back in the day people in Savannah thought Damon might have a future in professional golf then really at its beginning. But he hasn't swung a club in a decade.

This entire story is seen through the eyes of young J. Michael Moncrief who in time grows up to be Jack Lemmon who appears at the beginning and end of the film in his farewell role. Lemmon also provides the narration for The Legend Of Bagger Vance.

Damon eventually accepts, but it's only when Will Smith comes along playing the title role as a most mysterious man who offers to be his caddy that Damon plays. Smith imparts some real life lessons that both Damon and young Moncrief take in.

Other than Will Smith the only time you see any black people in the film is when Damon is discovered, living reclusively, drinking heavily and in a poker game with several black people. In segregated Savannah of the Twenties while you see a genteel version of the South it still has its racist mores and only Damon and Moncrief break them. The only black face you see in the crowds at the celebrated match is Will Smith's.

Joel Gretsch as Bobby Jones and Bruce McGill as Walter Hagen exactly fit the conception I had of both Jones and Hagen. They were as different as baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Hagen was a cheerful hedonist who was quoted as saying he didn't want to be a millionaire just live like one. Jones was the epitome of clean living and good sportsmanship. Among those covering the match was Grantland Rice played here by Lane Smith in his farewell role.

How the match comes out is for you to watch the film for. But some life lessons are learned by all the players.

Better Movie Than Critics Say

[matthewtessnear · 9/10 · 5 September 2018]

Sports Illustrated once rated this the worst movie of all time. They're Crazy! Great story. Will Smith is excellent. Love the kid who plays the local Savannah boy! One of my favorite-if not my very favorite-golf movies.

An emotive tale of triumph and redemption with great performances from Matt Damon and Will Smith

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 13 September 2021]

Succesful film with a sentimental story and intelligent character studio . Touching and sensitive portrait of an ex-golf winner who participates in the U. S. International Open in Savannah , Georgia, against two sports idols , the 2 greatest golfers of their time, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen to play for $10,000 and being based on a true story . Classic story rings true because of Matt Damon's complex and adequate acting and stunningly realized by director Robert Redford. Exceptional Matt Damon and Will Smith displaying first-rate performances reaching an important milestone and a terrific Joel Grestch and Bruce McGill as their upright as well as serious contenders . As a tired War Vet named Rannulph Junuh : Matt Damon gets a chance to play against two biggest winners. As Rannunlph gets to achieve for big time , thanks to a caddy , as he triumphs over by odds , but sheer determination helps them attain their dream , playing the final Open , as he gets the chance to participate in the International Golf Championship , no matter how far-fetched the dream . Meanwhile , he falls in love for a wealthy young girl (Charlize Theron) who at the same time organizes the tournament. As he has an intelligent skill to no match for the class boundaries . Some Things Can't Be Learned. They Must Be Remembered. It Was Just A Moment Ago.

A sympathetic and agreeable film about a down-and-out golfer well played by Matt Damon tries to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy magnificently performed by Will Smith . An enjoyable tale based on the Savannah Championship in which took part three famous international champs played by Joel Gretsch , Bruce McGill and Matt Damon . It contains a classic plot about personal overcoming and deals with a slice of American history , and is plenty of good feeling , heartfelt , interesting characters and formidable performances . However , sometimes is some sentimental and predictable but is still pretty amusing . Likable and enjoyable plot about a disillusioned goll player who attempts to retrieve his old and authentic ¨Swing¨ and his companions a coach and caddie , both of them face the dual challenge to win a world championship and redeeming themselves . Splendid film from the filmmaker Robert Redford of another David beats Goliath sports movie , similarly to ¨Rudy¨ with Sean Astin and ¨Hoosiers¨ with Gene Hackman , and it is even better than ¨The Greatest Game Ever Played ¨ 2005 by Bill Paxton with Shia LaBeouf . Sentimental plot stretches Hollywood manipulation , but is still entertaining delivering an engaging acting as Matt Damon , Will Smith and the likeable little boy J. Michael Moncrief ; they are backed by a good supporting cast , such as : Bruce McGill , Joel Gretsch , Lane Smith , Carrie Preston , Harve Presnell , among others .

Spectacular and rousing musical score by Rachel Portman , fitting perfectly to action . Fine production design and good sets , filmmakers had trouble filling the fields with extras for the final game, and needed to move people around when shooting different angles ; extras were given 1910's hairstyles and their clothing was checked for anachronisms . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Michael Ballhaus ; filmed on location in Jekyll Island , Georgia , Savannah , Georgia , Beaufort , Hilton Head , Kiawah Island, South Carolina, Bluffton, Charleston, South Carolina . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Robert Redford , he's a notorious producer/director and especially actor ; being this one his sixth film , the first one was the Oscarized Ordinary People , following : The Milagro Beanfield War , River runs through , The Horse Whisperer , Quiz Show , The Company You Keep , Conspiracy , Lions for Lambs , Cathedrals of Culture , among others . Rating : 7/10. Better than average , worthwhile seeing .

The Bhagwad Geeta.

[down_to_planet · 10/10 · 19 February 2011]

Hats off to Robert Redford.

Has anybody noticed or is it just me... that this movie is based on the Hindu religious epic: the Bhagwad geeta.

Robert has even retained the same names... "bagger vans" pronounced "Bhagwans"... meaning God in Hinduism.... and in this case... specifically.. lord Krishna...

and the main character.... "Rannulph Junuh".. pronounced "Arjuna".. meaning The warrior Arjuna... in the geeta...

the Hindu mythology reads such: Arjuna does not have the will to fight his own brothers in a dispute over a kingdom.. though he is a supreme archer.. he has lost the will to fight....Krishna... advises him over i think 14 days the logic of war and why he has to fight and make things right..

the movie: rannulph has lost his swing or the will to play golf... though being highly talented... bager vans aka god... teaches rannulph the meaning of golf and helps him find his calling and rest as they say is history...

wow... never knew mr. redford was so influenced by Hinduism...

good movie.. very well shot...

and a southern movie to boot.. too good.

hallelujah.

Slick and Glossy...

[JoeytheBrit · 7/10 · 24 August 2005]

Apparently, Robert Redford's depression-era fable is from a Hindu text called Bhagavad Gita. It takes a rare imagination to transplant a story of Ancient Indian warriors to the golf courses of American South, so it's strange that the same imagination can't free itself from the conventions of classical Hollywood plotting. While the film is always entertaining, the story it tells is never less than 100% predictable. This same can be said of many movies, but BAGGER VANCE appears to hold itself out as something different, as if it's going to offer something new and sort-of meaningful when really all it's doing is rehashing the increasingly tired 'sport as a metaphor for life' theme.

Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), once a hotshot teenage golfer, lives in drunken semi-seclusion in his hometown of Savannah after a traumatic experience in the Great War. Junuh is a lost soul, a fact signified by Redford's insistence in obscuring his leading actor's face in shadow for the early scenes. His former girlfriend, Adele Invergordon (the somewhat delicious Charlize Theron) also has troubles: her father committed suicide after the Great Crash wiped out his fortune, leaving her with an expensive white elephant of a golf resort and a mountain of debt. She determines to hold a challenge match between America's two greatest players to raise funds to pay off her debts and, having persuaded/tricked them into taking part in a too-contrived fashion, discovers that the townsfolk won't stand for it unless a local hero also takes part. This is where young Hardy Greaves (J. Michael Moncrief), the narrator introduced to us as a dying present-day Jack Lemmon, steps in and suggests Junuh. Naturally Junuh refuses, but then has his mind changed by young Adele stripping to her undies. Trouble is, Junuh has lost his swing, which is where Bagger Vance (Will Smith) makes his entrance, braving the golf balls Junuh is whacking into the night at all angles, and jauntily proclaiming, "I positioned myself right in front of you, 'cause from the way your swings were going', I figured that was the safest place". Bagger is a figure of mystery, perhaps guardian angel, perhaps God, literally emerging from the darkness in answer to the apparent cry for help Junuh made when he picked up his golf clubs again…

This film is such a slick and glossy example of Hollywood professionalism that at times you find yourself suddenly jettisoned from the story to reflect on how damn slick it all is. The cinematography is at times sublime, offering us rich images of the southern states in the midst of a depression, the worst consequence of which seems to be that young Hardy's father is forced to take a job cleaning the streets. This is the old MGM style of movie-making, a world that bears only a passing resemblance to our own, and in which townsfolk urge a young boy to "fly with wing-ed sandals on your feet" as the eager mite dashes off to plead with the town drunk to pick up the sticks once more. It's almost endearing in its way, and if it weren't for the aura of falsity that keeps seeping in and out of the proceedings, it might be something worth shouting about.

A major problem is the casting. Theron is fine in a role that doesn't call for much more than a spunky female who looks good in vibrant 30s costumes, but Damon and Smith are both miscast. Damon's just about the right age to play Junuh, but his pretty boy features simply don't bear the marks of a decade-plus of alcohol-fuelled trauma. Damon is the type of guy who, when he's fifty is going to look like a 25-year-old with wrinkles; at the age of thirty he looks like a twenty-year-old who hasn't even begun to sample life; he's lost us before he even opens his mouth, which is a shame because he's a good actor who brings a lot to his roles. Nevertheless, Damon could just about squeeze by without requiring too much suspension of belief on the part of the viewer, but Smith simply doesn't have a chance. He's easily about twenty-five years too young for the role, and growing a beard doesn't make that much of a difference. All the time I was watching the film I kept thinking of a mature character actor like Morgan Freeman as more suited to the part, and was surprised to discover that Freeman had been Redford's first choice for the role but that he had decided against him in favour of a younger actor. I can understand Redford choosing to stand down as Junuh, but selecting Smith over Freeman just doesn't make sense – unless you're an accountant. That's not to say Smith doesn't give a good performance, in fact he's very good and, after all the no-brainer blockbusters he's appeared in over the past few years you start feeling optimistic about what might be ahead from him, but no actor, no matter how good, could come out on top when called upon to wrestle with some of the truly laughable lines he delivers that are supposed to be laden with deep mystical meaning.

Despite all this, THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE kept me interested for the entirety of its long and slowly-paced running time. Redford conjures up some memorable images and manages to revisit themes he has explored a number of times now without the material growing stale. It all harks back to the kind of uplifting fare Hollywood churned out by the truckload back in its Golden Era, which is no bad thing. It's old-fashioned for sure, and shamelessly tries to manipulate the audience at times, but it has such a good-natured heart that, unless you're the deepest of cynics, you'll probably find yourself being drawn in.

Touched by an Angel: The Movie

[gbheron · 4/10 · 25 January 2003]

***Spoiler*** In "The Legend of Bagger Vance", Robert Redford reprises his strategy of using sport as a vehicle to achieve personal redemption and deep spiritual understanding. As in "The Horse Whisperer" a lone mystic comes to the aid of a deeply troubled person, and through sport (golf instead of horse whispering) imparts mystic knowledge. Also, like the precedent film, "The Legend of Bagger Vance" is insufferable.

The plot is unbelievable. At least the Robert Redford character in the "The Horse Whisperer" was a flesh and blood human (although imbued with such saintly virtues that I took an immediate dislike to him). But Bagger Vance is an angel or god or something. No way I'm buying that. A black angel selects a depressed white guy (and a Southerner) to help find himself and his golf swing so he can marry his rich white girlfriend? Nah. Bagger should have been buying him cartons of Luckies and quarts of cheap gin. The guy looked like he was having a better time in the dumps.

Avoid this mess.

Great movie

[jimvandemoter-50236 · 9/10 · 27 July 2019]

I'm surprised this movie didn't rank higher with viewers. Will Smith is great in the way he imparts quiet wisdom. Matt Damon's portrayal of a man who has been damaged by the horrors of war, finds redemption and learns to live is spot on. The feel of the time the story is set is also very good. the camera work and the general setting is beautiful. Do I like this movie? What do you think?

'Golf' would have been a more suitable title

[steenvreter29 · 6/10 · 2 May 2001]

Matt Damon plays Rannulph Junuh, a golf champion from Savannah, who leaves his gorgeous (isn't she?) girlfriend Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron) behind to serve his country in World War 1. When he comes back, he is not the same person as he used to be, playing poker instead of golf and drinking heavily. However, when he is invited to take part in a huge golf tournament in Savannah, he finally agrees, accepting the mysterious Bagger Vance (Will Smith) as his 'caddie'. The second hour of the film, we see Junuh compete with two of the biggest golfers in the game for the $10,000 prize.

Calling a film a 'legend' is always pretentious and often out of place, and this dramatic comedy by Robert Redford is no exception. The photography, especially during the golf game, is beautiful and the cast is OK, but the story never really came alive. Some parts of the plots were far too superficial, like the romance between Junuh and Adele and the return of Junuh: when he comes back from the War he is mentally destroyed, but it is never explained why, as if the makers of the film thought that this is already such a horrible cliche that an explanation was unnecessary. Overall, this film never felt like a 'legend'; 'Golf' should have been a better suitable title. But it was entertaining enough to prevent me from rating it lower than 6.

6/10

Pretty But Not As Magical As It Thinks

[slokes · 4/10 · 3 January 2008]

Robert Redford is a good actor, but as a director I get the feeling he has never had a real human conversation in his life. Take "The Legend Of Bagger Vance".

It's about a Georgian named Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) who marches off to World War I one of America's greatest golfers but comes back without his swing. Coaching him back is his ex-lover Adele (Charlize Theron), a boy named Hardy (J. Michael Moncrief) who won't stop believing in him, and the title figure, a mysterious caddy (Will Smith) who tells Junuh that golf, like life, is "a game that can't be won, only played."

As with other Redford films, there is no real dialogue in "Bagger Vance". There are a lot of speeches, as various characters wait for their turn in close-up and for the music to swell before unloading some great profundity. "Your Dad stared adversity in the eye, and he beat it back with a broom" "This is my last 18 holes, Junuh, and I can't think of a better way to end it." "I like the way we danced." "It was only a moment ago". Those last two lines are each repeated, in case you missed them.

I get the feeling Redford treats his actors the way his directors treated him, telling Damon and Theron "Do that again, only blonder this time". Beauty is everywhere in "Bagger Vance", and the camera and lighting work here are exceptional, but there's never a feeling of real life creeping into the corners of the frame.

What's good in this film is Moncrief, the one real Southern accent in the cast who has fun and a disarmingly non-precocious way about him. Joel Gretsch showcases a convincingly authentic swing as golf legend Bobby Jones, one of Junuh's celebrated opponents in a big match at the end. Smith is enjoyable, too, making an otherwise annoyingly tricked-up character amusing at times with his sly, subtle delivery, about the only subtle thing in "Bagger Vance". It's a shame Redford couldn't have made Bagger's true otherworldly nature more of a mystery, but then Redford isn't one to let a point go by without beating you over the head with it.

Jack Lemmon narrates and appears in a cameo role as the adult Hardy. While obviously showing signs this would be his last film role, he makes his bad club swings as fun here as he did on TV at Pebble Beach. Redford's focus on actors does pay off with this old pro, and in some other cases. Everyone acquits themselves decently, anyway, with nice moments evenly distributed here and there among the chaff. The golf action, when it happens, is shot prettily, as is the Depression-era costumes and set design.

But everything moves so slow, especially when the game is underway. "You've got an answer for everything, Bagger," Junuh says, and so he does. Or else Adele's got an answer. Or Junuh's got an answer for Hardy. These aren't people but fortune cookies with pre-formed messages when you crack them open.

Meanwhile, you wonder why no one zaps Junuh with a penalty stroke for all his on-course ruminations. Never mind. It's not really golf they're playing. It sure looks pretty, though, and that's the point.

This movie is about Redemption

[rittmeister · 19 November 2001]

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a movie as much as I did this one. We all watch movies for a lot of reasons besides the obvious reason of "entertainment." While THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE does it in a most charming and entertaining way it is all about Redemption. Each of us faces adversity in our daily life and how we face it marks the quality of the life that we live. Junuh has faced personal demons for more than ten years since he fought in WW I. The "Loss of his swing" is more than an athletic loss that he refers to. He has lost his faith in himself and his ability to face life after his return from the war.

The role of Bagger Vance, ably played by Will Smith, was not as God like as the character described by Steven Pressfield in his book from which this film was adapted. In the movie Vance had the ability to help people think beyond the obvious and to reach back for something special. In Junuh he helps reinstill a personal belief and an appreciation of life. In the Pressfield book, Vance WAS a God.

All of the roles were well played and the young boy playing Lemmon in his youth stole the show. It was also good to see Jack Lemmon in his final movie role. I thought it was an interesting coincidence that Lemmon's final role was in a mystical movie just as Burt Lancaster's was in THE FIELD OF DREAMS. The score was also especially moving and the music fit the movie to a "T." This is a different kind of movie but still qualifies as a "feel good" movie. We don't always have an opportunity to go back and take a second stab at life and that is the beauty of this movie.

It is a wonderful thing to be able to go back and make amends for mistakes we have made in our lives and to come out on the other side as a better person. That is what Junuh was able to achieve and that made me feel very good when the credits rolled. For those of you who thought this was a golfing movie that is not the case. It is a movie about life and the chance to make a fresh start which is always important for those who struggle to overcome adversity.

Ghost of Golf

[view_and_review · 6/10 · 3 January 2021]

I'm not a fan of golf, but I love sports movies. "The Legend of Bagger Vance" was greatly aided by Will Smith and Matt Damon. Even the familiar voice of Jack Lemmon as the narrator was comforting. Charlize Theron was mere aesthetics because Hollywood can't dispense with the female love interest.

Matt Damon played Rannulph Junuh, a young golf sensation from Savannah, Georgia. After he was conscripted for WWI he never was the same. He'd given up golf and never returned to his wife Adele (Theron) though he did return to Georgia. In an effort to save the golf course she inherited, Adele put together a golf exhibition featuring Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill), Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch), and Rannulph Junuh. The insertion of Junuh in the tournament was only to satisfy local Savannians who wished to see one of their own in this prestigious golf game. There was only one problem: Junuh had lost his swing. To help with his swing and his overall game was Bagger Vance (Smith) who literally appeared out of nowhere. He was a golf sage of unknown origins there to specifically help the lost Junuh.

This movie never drew me in. There were some nice artistic shots and some touching moments of self-discovery, but it never evoked the emotions I'm sure it was going for. The movie is a suitable watch, though it's nothing I'd clamour to watch again.

Sports Metaphors and Mystique

[harry-76 · 6/10 · 1 September 2001]

Robert Redford seems to have a thing about sports. It's more than just a game to him, but rather some sort of portal seeking the essence of what life has to offer.

In "Downhill Racer" (1969) actor Redford engaged the craft of skiing to achieve metaphysical heights; in "A River Runs Through It" (1998) director Redford likened the activity of fly fishing to something of a profoundly spiritual nature; now in "The Legend of Bagger Vance" producer director Redford discovers the secret of overcoming adversity through the challenge of golf an ultimate peak experience.

While it's pretty hard to fathom where hurling one's self down a ski slope as being akin to a state of grace, or where killing fish enhances one's spirituality, in "Beggar Vance" finding one's "authentic stroke" makes more sense in aligning it to discovering the secret of mastery.

The story's idea that seeking perfection in sports can lead to clarifying one's true life values emerges as completely noteworthy. The mystique of Will Smith's caddy is intriguing from an idealistic perspective; the same goes for Matt Damon's once-promising golfer trying to recapture the skill of his youth--only to find that it must be recreated.

In the case of each of the above films, it helps considerably if the viewer already likes the respective sports. The films themselves don't do an especially great job of winning fans. It must be said, though, that one may become intrigued at Matt Damon's Rannulph Junnah who, after over a 15-year period of combat fighting in World War I, and thereafter living in seclusion while drinking heavily, still looks like a fresh college junior. The film in this regard seems more like an paean to discovery of the elixir of youth. If you're an avid golfer, or loving spectator, "Bagger Vance" might have special meaning. Otherwise, it might be a bit of uneven going.

Smith, Damon and entire cast all give highly creditable performances.

Another Excellent Fantasy-Sports Film

[ccthemovieman-1 · 10/10 · 4 November 2006]

I usually like fantasy movies and I really enjoy sports films. Combine the two well - like "Field Of Dreams" and like this movie - and I am sure to rate this extremely high. I've seen it three times and enjoyed it immensely each time.

It reminded me a bit, too, of "The Natural," but instead of baseball, this one features golf and real-life legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen playing the local guy, "Rannulph Junuh" (Matt Damon). Like "The Natural," this is beautifully photographed, has a wonderful feel-good ending, a variety of characters, a beautiful lead woman and good acting.

The no-name child actor in here, J. Michael Moncrief, who plays "Hardy Greaves," narrates the film as an older man looking back on this story. The kid is a fine actor, too, and I really enjoyed his Georgia accent. Charlize Theron is the beauty, playing "Adele Invergordon," a woman who organizes this famous golf match between the greatest amateur player of the world, the best professional and "Junuh," who is the focus of this story. Theron's known for her dramatic roles but she exhibits a nice comedy touch in here.

Damon does his normal fine job of acting and Will Smith, as the angelic caddie "Bagger Vance," is uncharacteristically low-key, which I found nice to see. Bruce Magill did a good as Hagen and Joel Gretsch, likewise, for Jones. Magill is obviously the best real-life golfer here among these actors. Damon had to learn the game from scratch, and did a fine job with his swing.

The only part of this film that went a little overboard - but it's the fantasy part of the story - was the New Age-type preaching by "Bagger." However, some of his speeches were simply golf visualization, which has always been taught as a means to concentrate better on one's shot-making. I didn't think hearing the Lord's name in vain a half dozen times was necessary in here, either, but what are you gonna do? Other than those things, this is great film and I one I throughly appreciate every time I see it.

Good movie despite its shortcomings

[jackjack-2 · 7/10 · 23 October 2001]

This movie succeeded as a fantasy even with its shortcomings. The ending was great and only at the very end could a viewer guess how it would come out. Perhaps because I can relate to much of the movie, I can appreciate it more than some. I grew up in the depression. I caddied for Ben Hogan in one tournament. I lost my whole platoon in Korea so I know the depression Captain Rannulph Junuh was experiencing though unlike him I didn't quit though I knew other officers who had the same experience as Junuh just quit. And I have always been a avid golfer.

But the movie had its weaknesses. Captain Junuh gets the Medal of Honor but he didn't do anything in the movie to justify a medal of any kind. Thirteen years elapses between the time he is in combat and when we see him again and we are left with a blank for that period in his life. We are supposed to believe that his wealthy and beautiful fiancé just waits during all this period of time without knowing anything about what's happening to him. In real life she would have married and had children by the time he returned.

And then there is the South in the 1930's and blacks. At that time Savannah was as racist as they came. Bagger Vance, who is a black, would never been allowed to caddy much less even get near white folks. Blacks were not allowed on golf courses then, especially a private course. And Captain Junuh would not have been playing poker or even drinking with black men. Whites, especially white trash, did not socialize at all with blacks although they thought nothing of raping black women.

The acting in the movie was rather ordinary but sufficient to tell the story and it was a good story as many myths are so long as the viewer isn't taken in by its lackings and fallacies.

This film worked for me.

[trumpman30 · 9/10 · 22 May 2002]

I guess I'm really into the "winning through adversity" films. I really enjoyed films such as "The Natural" and "The Legend of Bagger Vance." I think the two were about equal. They both show the hero overcoming adversity through a sport's golden age which is what makes this movie great. If you showed a golf or baseball movie today it would not be as believable because they no longer play for the love of the game but for the money. This was set in a time when the game was more dignified. I never though much of Will Smith, thinking of him mostly as a comedy type actor but I think his greatness hit its peak when he started doing these drama type productions. Smith is sensational in his roll. If Redford had a mental picture of Bagger Vance before this movie started, I think he actually saw how Will Smith performed in this film. Matt Damon was good also.

Overall, a great "feel good" film. 9/10

Golfing classic!

[redkiwi · 7/10 · 9 December 2002]

A film about golf. Yawn!

Usually.

However, Will Smith and Matt Damon work well together in this tale of the local hero taking on the world's greatest two golfers.

Smith as the caddy has all the advantages of his natural demenour, and this brings much to the role. The young upstart golfer Damon plays the same kind of part he always seems to without ever being really challenged.

Good Intentions, but really falls short

[xteve · 5/10 · 13 April 2001]

This adaptation of the book is well done in many ways. The casting of the supporting actors, who play Jones & Hagen, as well as the young Hardy, is top notch.

Cinematography, etc. is also very well executed.

I thought that Damon did a very credible job as Junuh, although his character is a Redford clone, right down to the haircut and whispery delivery of his lines, and Will Smith was surprisingly quite good as Bagger Vance. I must admit when I read the novel I had a hard time imagining Smith playing this part, but he carries it off with Morgan Freeman-esque style.

I completely disagree with every reviewer who enjoyed Charlize Theron's performance. Her character is little more than a footnote in the book, and in this film they greatly expanded her role to have a romantic subplot that frankly has nothing to do with the rest of the movie and bogs down the story. Ms. Theron is very beautiful, but her accent is TERRIBLE!!!! Watch her first few scenes with the town elders and tell me how you could ever believe that is a real Georgia accent.

Similarly, the young Hardy, who has a much more credible Southern accent, seems to lose it completely by the time he's grown up to become the narrator, Jack Lemmon. Little continuity errors like that drag this film down.

All in all, Bagger Vance is not a bad film, but it's not great either.

Best suited for golfers and fans of the Great Gatsby.

The best movie I've seen to become present yourself

[ralphzoontjens · 8/10 · 4 October 2011]

You know, there's basically only two ways you can watch movies. You either use them as food for the thinking mind, or you simply sit back and see where it takes you, as if it's the first thing you've ever seen.

In the first way, your mind generates expectations of what it will get to consume. Then it will be presented its food for consumption, and it will start up its filters in order to judge whether the food is good or bad. And every time you think you can fit it with a negative label, you will gladly make known that you made that recognition.

In the other way, you enter the movie fully and openly, without expectations. And as the experience unfolds, you feel into the characters and relate it to your own being.

From the first perspective, this movie is not very good. It's slow, a bit airy-fairy, and the plot quite boring. Your mind will probably already know what's going to happen all the time, and find plenty of negative labels it can paste onto the movie. On to the next one, the next thing to consume, it will tell you.

From the other perspective, this is one of the best movies if not the best ever created in the history of humanity, if you ask me. It gradually unfolds into showing how R. Junuh (Matt Damon) becomes more present in where he is, as he makes crucial steps in his mind and lets go of the baggage that remains inside of it. By following this process and relating to it ourselves, this movie is a wonderful tool for becoming more present and being masterful in whatever we happen to be doing in our own lives.

Bagger Vance (Will Smith) basically tells that the only thing that Junuh can do in order to win this game of golf is let go of his thoughts. The thoughts that tell him who he is or should be in relation to others, what he feels about the present 'situation', or what he needs to do in order to succeed. He learns that he needs to simply drop that self-centeredness, essentially that whining child inside, and let the moment that is already there take him over instead of his mind.

By doing so ourselves during the movie, we might become more present too as our thoughts fade to the background and as we become more aware of what's going on around us, instead of being absorbed only in what's going on inside the screen, behind the electronic window. We can get into that state where we feel our environment, where we drop all mental baggage, and where we can simply excel in what we do, whatever it is that apparently wants to be done through us. We can remember how it was before all the mental conditioning started somewhere in our childhood, and become present again. That's the real potential of this movie, the experience it can drag you into. Which is much better than a temporary pleasure, if you ask me.

And is that not the only thing to do in this game we call life? Is that not the ultimate teaching that the Bhagavad Gita and ultimately the mystical branches of all religions point to? In this movie, it's not Bagger Vance that awakens R. Junuh, it simply all happens pretty much independently of anything, in the true experiential recognition of itself. And that's really all we need to know, and the limit of all that we can really get from any type of immersion in media content.

Great direction, passionate style, beautiful photography, but a week story. *** (out of four)

[Movie-12 · 7/10 · 14 February 2001]

THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE / (2000) *** (out of four)

By Blake French: Robert Redford almost always brings a gentle style of passion and hope to his movies, and "The Legend of Bagger Vance" is a great example of how he does it. This film's tone, mood, and atmosphere are dreamlike in appearance and the flavor of the film is assuring and inspiring. Many directors would be tempted to fall into the predictable formula of a typical sports movie, but not Redford. He constructs a delicate, refreshing story not just about winning a golf tournament, but about being happy with what you do best. It has subplots involving love, age, death, anger, war, forgiveness, innocence, and eternity, but mostly compares the game of golf with life itself.

"The Legend of Bagger Vance" starts with a brilliant, masterful setup only to slowly run into conflicts in the second act. The story revolves around a somewhat complex character named Rannulph Junuh, played wonderfully by Matt Damon. During the 1910's this individual held the record of greatest amateur golfer in the Southeast, and also the luckiest man when he won the affection of Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron), the luxurious daughter of the wealthiest man in Savanna Georgia. Now, however, after suffering the horrors of World War II, Junuh is disillusioned, depressed, and only cares about getting drunk and playing poker with his buddies.

Meanwhile, the great depression strikes, Adale's distressed father commits suicide, and she is left with a failed newly opened oceanfront golf resort and a pile of debts. Pressured to sell the property to pay off her many bills, Adale refuses and comes up with an idea to attract attention to the golf course. She nearly puts everything she owns up for a ten thousand dollar exhibition match with two of the world's best golfers. They are Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill), a chubby ladies man, and Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch), a suave, sophisticated family man. However, the Savanna locals will not allow the tournament unless there are three players participating. Ten-year old Hardy Greaves (J. Michael Moncrief) invites Junuh into the match. While refusal is his first reaction, after meeting a poor black man named Bagger Vance (Will Smith) who offers to be his caddie, Junuh decides to represent Savanna in the tournament.

The plotis sweeping and beautiful up until the second act, where the script becomes desperate and redundant. Junuh begins the tournament on a losing streak, an easy and lazy way of raising the tension level in this kind of movie. Good old Bagger Vance pulls Junuh out of the water, however, and gets his game back to par. Then the movie makes its biggest mistake. It again attempts to increase the amount of tension in the audience by once again making Junuh fall behind. The first time the story exhibits this material we buy into it, but the second we are tired of such contrivances. The movie tries to make up for its mistake by portraying the idea that how the game is won is more important than who wins, but that does not make up for such a major screenplay miscalculation.

The rest of the movie is stirring and avoids the usual clichés. The filmmakers could have sketched Junuh's competing gofers as hard-edged, one-dimensional plot devices to build tension in the story. Junuh's relationship with Adele is not mushy and erotic but realistic and passionate. Robert Redford put considerable effort into taking each plot point only so far. The only variable limitless here is the grand photography by Michael Ballhaus. He makes the golf course look like an endless pathway to heaven, and recreates the experience all golfers feel as they walk up to the first and last hole during a perfect summer afternoon.

"The Legend of Bagger Vance" is not a great movie because of its often week plot, but the movie is so magnificently directed, photographed, and acted that it is able to go beyond the boundaries of an undeserving script and still manage to succeed. I recommend the film, but think with a better story, "The Legend of Bagger Vance" could have been one of the year's most poignant and tactful films.

what happened?

[Embley · 2/10 · 31 October 2000]

i am disappointed. to be honest i thought from the advertisments that this film would not be great but i figured if it was a robert redford film with will smith and matt damon it had to have something to it. but it didn't really.

the best things about this film were will smith and some of the camera work. matt damon wasn't bad. but the script was very unfortunate and i don't think the actors could have done much with it. will smith seemed to be given the amusing lines to say and his smiling face is full of light that brightens up the screen always.

so the script. yes it was very bad. no real character development, no thrill to the story, everything felt very rushed. it is hard for a film to live up to a book - the book this was based on was not fantastic, in fact it was kind of cheesy at points, but it was very lyrical and had moments of real beauty - these characteristics did not make it through to the film, though. the script for the film was quite different form the book and i think that was a huge downfall. the whole romance storyline was created for the film and it felt flat to me - no depth to it at all. the relationship between junah and bagger vance is also very different and suffers for it i think. there is little chance for a bond to develop between the two and bagger vance comes off as a wandering life-saver, instead of the mystical all-knowing god that he was in the book. the whole premise of the book - looking at golf as a analogy for the human condition - gets lost somewhere. the film is very thin, little substance if any, and while it doesn't look bad, it doesn't look great - the looks won't carry the film.

and the editing was quite bad. there was no flow to the film. it felt very choppy and there were often cuts or transitions at the wrong points so that it was unclear where the focus of the scene was. i was amazed that this film was released in such a choppy state. very sad.

this is redfords worst directorial work - and it pains me to say that because i admire the man and his work greatly. but there you go - no denying it.