Product Description: A disillusioned war veteran, Capt. Rannulph Junah (Matt Damon), reluctantly agrees to play a game of golf. He finds the game futile until his caddy, Bagger Vance (Will Smith), teaches him the secret of the authentic golf stroke which turns out also to be the secret to mastering any challenge and finding meaning in life.
Amazon.com: The Legend of Bagger Vance doesn't break any new ground, but with Steven Pressfield's inspirational novel to guide them, director Robert Redford and screenwriter Jeremy Leven have tilled fertile soil with a graceful touch. Redford does for golf what A River Runs Through It did for fly-fishing: the sport is a conduit for a philosophy of living, and Redford achieves the small miracle of making golf a central metaphor that's visually compelling.
Set in Savannah, Georgia, during the early '30s, the story charts the redemption of disillusioned World War I veteran and former golf champion Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), who emerges from self-imposed obscurity in an exhibition match against legendary golfers Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill). Having earlier abandoned the socialite (Charlize Theron) who has organized the tournament to promote her late father's spectacular golf resort, Junuh now depends on the support of a young fan (perfectly cast newcomer J. Michael Moncrief) and the mysterious Bagger Vance (Will Smith), a smiling Jiminy Cricket who serves as Junuh's caddy, golf guru, and Socratic angel of mercy.
As Junuh regains the "authentic swing" he feared was lost forever, Redford guides his splendid cast through a spiritual journey that is specific to the discipline of golf and yet potently universal. As always, Redford also conveys his respect for nature and the rhythms of life as well as a sweet nostalgia for simpler times and purer values. With the casting of Jack Lemmon as the film's present-day narrator and elderly version of Moncrief's character, The Legend of Bagger Vance gains even greater dignity and, indeed, the glowing aura of legend. --Jeff Shannon
Terrible book adaptation Absolutely awful movie. Movie had a terrible cast other than Will Smith, Matt Damon, and the two other golfers. Charlize Theron did not belong in this movie. 99% of the story from the book is absent in this film, taking on new and completely unrelated turns and incorporating menial book characters and blowing them up to be main characters for the movie (i.e. the role of charlize theron). ALL the drama from the book is lost, all the heart pounding dialogue and earth shattering descriptions and visualizations are lost, and all is left is a horribly directed and confused film with no message what so ever. The book is amazing, too bad the film stinks. Read the book.
Great movie for any golfer I bought this movie for my Dad for fathers day. This is a good movie, but a really great movie for any golfer.
A Great Reminder of Remembering Our Own Swing A delightful film about finding one's swing. A retired golfer is pushed back into the game even though he is convinced that he has lost his swing for good. A whimsical caddy comes along to show him how to find it, which is really a metaphor for finding oneself.
This movie is replete with spiritual metaphors that are sure to make you more aware of how one's path, or purpose, can only be found through the effortless ease of oneness with all.
Sit back, relax and allow yourself to sink deeply into this deeply creative and profound film.
Mysterious Saviour This is a movie ostensibly about golf, but in actuality it is about life. A once superb golfer sinks to a life of drink and gambling. Challenged to participate as local color, he begins to practice his swing with a view of playing in a tournament with legendary Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. From nowhere Bagger Vance appears, guides him to the mentality and courage to really take part. He rises to the occasion and when able to carry on alone, Bagger Vance disappears,
Beyond the obvious lesson about life and inner strength, the golf tournament itself is lovely, with the actor playing Bobby Jones particularly displaying a beautiful swing. Matt Damon does well as always.
An Uplifting Story If you like golf, romance, a wonderful musical score, a good story, a great cast, and a little fantasy, you'll love The Legend of Bagger Vance. The scenery is breathtaking. The story is uplifting and fun. I enthusiastically recommend Bagger Vance.
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