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The Legend of Bagger
Vance
Directed by: Robert Redford
Starring: Matt Damon
Genre:
Drama/Romance
Run Time: 126
min.
Release Date:
November 2000
On The Web:
Unofficial
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon,
THE GOOD SHEPHERD)
is a golf phenomenon of the early 20th century. But WW I pulls him away
and destroys his will to play the "gentlemen's game." In WW I he also
loses everyone in his platoon and is the only survivor. Feeling as if he
should have lost "something", his "authentic swing" vanishes ...and so
does he. He fails to return to his Savannah, Georgia home and his
fiancé, Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron,
AEON FLUX).
Adele is struggling to keep her father's dream of maintaining the
ultimate golf course alive. So she finesses two top golf players in to
playing a winner take all ($10,000) game. But many in Savannah want a
local player to compete in the game as well. And a young boy named Hardy
Greaves (J. Michael Moncrief) pipes up that "Captain Junuh" should do
it. Since Junuh had recently snuck back into town, the townsfolk
approach him and convince him to play. But what to do about his lost
authentic swing?
Enter the mysterious and mystical Bagger Vance (Will Smith,
THE PURSUIT OF
HAPPYNESS). He shows Junuh the way back to a magical state of the authentic swing and acts as
his caddy during the competition. He also teaches young Hardy how to
caddy/play the game of golf, and helps Junuh and Adele find love again.
Robert Redford directs and does so admirably. The beautiful
cinematography and the way the story unfolds are nicely pulled off. And
like A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, this film has a leisurely cadence that
deals with a subject matter that could put many people to sleep. But it
doesn't. The character development and interestingly vague aspects of Bagger Vance's existence add much to the entertaining story.
But the film doesn't break any new cinematic ground. The story, although
nicely done, is very predictable and sometimes trite. Can Junuh find a
love for golf that he lost so long ago? I'm sure you can answer that
question even if you've never seen the movie.
Even so, though, this is an enjoyable film with lots of beautiful
sunsets, southern exposures, and well-played characters.
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Image from The Legend of
Bagger Vance
DVD cost: $6.99
Purchase:
BestPrice.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Originally, the lead roles
were going to be played by Morgan Freeman and Robert Redford. But, after
careful consideration, Redford decided that the movie would work better
with younger men playing Rannulph Junuh and Bagger Vance.
Movie Quote: "You've
lost your swing. We got to go find it."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Legend of Bagger Vance
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