The Legend of Bagger Vance

Main Cast:

  • Matt Damon is Rannulph Junuh
  • Charlize Theron is Adele Invergorden
  • Will Smith is Bagger Vance

Director: Robert Redford

Rating:  3 Stars - worth a watch.

Plot Summary: Before World War 1 Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) was a successful young golfer from Savannah, Georgia.  His experiences during the war left him emotional scarred and when he returns home he turns his back on the town, his girlfriend Adele (Charlize Theron) and his golf.  His girlfriend’s wealthy father had invested every dollar in a luxury golf course but the economic depression that followed the war meant that the golf club made no money.  The bankrupt Mr. Invergorden kills himself.  Adele is determined not to sell her father’s dream and to make a success of it.  She invites the biggest names from golf to play at the course in an exhibition game but she needs someone to represent the town and tries to persuade her old boyfriend, Rannulph, to play in the competition…

Review: An old man who was a child at the time narrates the story and he recalls the events that lead up to the exhibition game and the game itself.  It is a simple story that is told well and filmed beautifully.  As in his other films, Robert Redford, the director, often concentrates on the beauty, movement and harmony of nature.  Some clever camera work using the effects of sunlight and shadows add to the image of the living earth and add a mystical quality.  This mystical image adds to the mysterious character of Bagger Vance who is a stranger in town who wanders out of the night (literally) to offer his services as caddy to help Rannulph.  The golf scenes are central to the story but there maybe a little too much golf for most people on the other hand golf fans may love every swing and putt!

Matt Damon performs his role well and Charlize Theron plays the “Southern Belle” to perfection.  Will Smith wasn’t over challenged in his role as Bagger Vance.

Lasting thought: You need to discover your identity before you can be a winner in the game of life (and golf!).

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, PremierMovieReviews

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