|
| . |
|
The Legend of Bagger Vance 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Robert Redford
PG-13, 125 min. (some sexual content) |
 |
Starring: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Joel Gretsch, Jack Lemmon, Bruce McGill, J. Michael Moncrief, Lane Smith
Producers: Jake Eberts, Michael Nozik, Robert Redford
Screenplay: Jeremy Leven
Distributor: Dreamworks SKG
Released: 11/3/00 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
The Legend of Bagger Vance tries to follow in the footsteps of other sports movies that make a statement about life such as The Natural, Hoosiers,
and Field of Dreams. And, for the most part, it accomplishes this. There a few shaky moments in the movie to be sure,
but not enough to detract from the overall good feeling one gets as you watch those final moments on the golf course unfold.
Although I wouldn't put it in the category of those aforementioned films, this film invokes enough ponderment at the game of
golf and its similarities with life that it passes the test.
Adele (Charlize Theron) inherits a floundering golf course in the 20's and decides to ease her debt by hosting a tournament
between the top golfers in the world, including a local legend Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) who was at one time a promising
golfer before the first World War. The problem is that Junuh hasn't played golf in years, and has no interest in taking it up
again. But a stranger named Bagger Vance (Will Smith) comes literally out of nowhere to help him regain his form. Vance is
almost like a wise teacher of not just golf, but also of life, and Junuh soaks it up. Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen
(Bruce McGill) are the top golfers in the world, and they have a rivalry between them. The story culminates in the tournament when,
of course, Junuh makes a run at these legends at the end of the movie.
There are no real standouts in the way of performances in this movie, but Bruce McGill gives a believable effort as the aging,
play for money only golfer who is the rival of Bobby Jones. Matt Damon is adequate as is Will Smith, but this is a puzzling
part for Smith to play considering it really isn't the central character in the movie - the game of golf is.
For people who love the game of golf, this will be an enjoyable viewing experience because of its focus on the game's purity. For
others, there is still the story of focus and determination, letting go of the problems around you to become the best you can
be. Director Robert Redford has proven to be a competent director over the last decade, and he doesn't disappoint here.
© 2000 Jonathan Cornwell
|
|
| Masterpiece - Classic; Movie perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See; One of the year's best films |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
