Will Smith and Matt Damon in Legend of Bagger Vance

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Matt Damon, Will Smith and Charlize Theron Director: Robert Redford Rated: PG-13, with profanity, sexual innuendo Length: 127 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(November 3, 2000) -- As both an actor and director, Robert Redford has long been fascinated with sports figures on mythic journeys -- with the game as a metaphor and a turned-around life as the goal.

Whether it's skiing (Downhill Racer), baseball (The Natural), or fly-fishing (A River Runs Through It), the idea is the same. Through a Zenlike approach to the sport, the protagonist finds focus in life.

Naturally, Redford was drawn to adapt to the screen The Legend of Bagger Vance, Steven Pressfield's novel of a washed-up golfer who rediscovers his "authentic swing."

Though it lacks the lyrical greatness and deep characterizations of A River Runs Through It, it's still an appealing and artful reminder of Redford's taste and skill.

It's set in the golden-glow South of the early 1930s. Matt Damon stars as Rannulph Junuh, a one-time wunderkind golfer of Savannah, Ga., who lost all interest in life after World War I. Drink has become his full-time interest.

He's also left behind the beautiful Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron). She has since channeled her energies into helping her wealthy father create a lavish golf resort.

But when the dream seems doomed by the Great Depression and her father's suicide, she conceives a spectacular golf tournament to revive interest. She employs her sex appeal and guile to corral the two great golfers of their day -- Rochester native Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones -- to play a two-day tournament at the resort.

The business community, though, forces Adele to invite a third golfer to represent the area. The only possible choice is the washed-up drunk.

Junuh initially refuses despite urgent pleas. Then he gets a late-night visit from a mysterious stranger -- Bagger Vance (Will Smith) -- who goads the young man to enter the tournament. There he offers guidance, but in subtle, witty ways.

Vance is a guru of sorts -- the caddie as guardian angel. And we eventually see him as the spirit of golf.

Bagger Vance comes down to the two-day tournament -- the latter half of the film. It's well-shot and filled with drama and wit, and provides insight into two real-life legends of golf.

Hagen (Bruce McGill) is wonderfully portrayed as a colorful, hard-drinking fun-lover in the Babe Ruth mold, while Jones (Joel Gretsch) is a near-perfect bronze god.

As Junuh, Damon makes a successful transition from washed-up has-been to redeemed warrior, and also demonstrates a convincing swing on the golf course. Smith has less to do as the wise Vance -- but he offers gentle, sound advice.

Adding to the film's luscious glow is Theron. No other modern actress so convincingly exudes the glamour of Hollywood's golden age. The Cider House Rules was Exhibit A. This is Exhibit B.

The Legend of Bagger Vance left me entertained and satisfied. But comparison is unavoidable: It isn't nearly as moving as Redford's A River Runs Through It.

The writing in Vance is more pedestrian than in the earlier gem. Here it's engaging but conventional. There it was poetry.