The Legend Of Bagger Vance (2000) Plot In A Paragraph: Rannulph Junna (Matt Damon) a down-and-out golfer attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy named Bagger Vance (Will Smith).Easily one of my favourite Will Smith movies and performances (possibly THE favourite) and it's easily one of his most under rated and overlooked pieces of Work. I cannot fathom how a movie of this quality, directed by Robert Redford, starring Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron got great reviews, and yet it failed to draw much of a crowd.I've said earlier in the thread, I prefer it when Smith is actually acting, instead of just playing versions of his public persona. This is no different. I remember taking my 8 year old son (who was a huge Will Smith fan back then) to see this at the cinema on opening day, and it was only half full. After I had watched it, I was telling a friend how wonderful it was, and he replied "I don't like Will Smith, I hate Matt Damon and I can't stand golf!! So you have no chance of getting me to watch that!!" His loss. As it is a brilliant movie, filled with excellent performances. Even my son, used to such movies as Independence Day and Men In Black from Will Smith loved it. He used to silently sit watching this movie all the time.Although the basis of the movie is around a golf tournament, it's not really about that. For me, certainly isn't about who wins the tournament. It is more about the characters and the journey they take.This is why I love movies. I'd rather watch a movie like this, than most things released these days. No CGI, no gimmicks, no superhero's, no shared universe and no eyes on a potential franchise. Just one movie, with some great acting, that is well directed, beautifully shot and tells a well crafted and well told story. I'd go so far to say Smith is so good, he should have been nominated for an Oscar. He got a few nominations of smaller awards, but was over looked for the big ones. Matt Damon is very likable, and is easy to root for, Charline Theron was fine, J. Michael Moncrief is great as Hardy. Child actors are so hard to cast right. Bruce McGill and Joel Gretsch are perfectly cast as rival golfers. Lane Smith is a joy like always and I love Jack Lemmon's voice over. Cinematographer Michael Ballhaus creates some beautiful images, accompanied by a beautiful score by Rachel Portman.I recommend everyone watch this wonderful, heartwarming movie. The Legend Of Bagger Vance grossed $30 million at the domestic box office to end the year the 82 highest grossing movie of 2000. To put it in to context of how poorly this movie performed. The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas and a rerelease of The Exorcist grossed more. America should hang its head in shame.

Yeah, I'll be honest this was a little dull even with everything going for it which included Robert Redford as director, a big budget and a great cast. It just failed to capture me on any level; with sport, magic, love or even inspiration, it was all just very long and very bland.The story is set in the 1920's following a golfer who returns from WW1 and attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy. It's definitely a very watchable movie, beautifully shot and with great performances.I really enjoyed Jack Lemmon (in his last movie role) and also the kid that played him as a young boy. Will Smith as 'Bagger' was good, everyone involved was. Charlize Theron; beautiful, nice accent. Matt Damon, well sure, good enough but I never really got that he was suffering from the war in any way, he was just subdued, wanted to be left alone and enjoyed a cocktail or two in the gambling den.And wow do they ever play a lot of golf. I mean I get that this is a "golf movie" but did we really need to see every swing from their 3 day marathon game? 11/24/14

The Legend of Bagger Vance is the uplifting story of a former pro golfer and war veteran Rannulph Junnuh (played by Matt Damon) who, with the help of an unconventional caddy, tries to rediscover his "authentic swing." Directed by critically acclaimed storyteller Robert Redford, this film offers much more than a suspenseful game of golf - though it certainly succeeds in that regard. The heart of the story revolves around "Captain Junnuh" as he struggles to regain his dignity and work through his past in the midst of the Great Depression.The romantic pairing of Matt Damon and Charlize Theron provides a healthy handful of realism, meaning both humor and imperfection in equal doses. Will Smith lends his talent as the mystical Bagger Vance who not only caddies for "Captain Junnuh," but helps him discover what it means to "play the game" of life.What I liked most about this movie is that, while it is played out on a golf course, it goes much deeper than just a sports movie. It is really a deep metaphor for life and how our perspective, choices and integrity (or lack thereof) define the course of our lives. We see, in Junnah, a reflection of ourselves - not a perfect man, but one who is trying his best to work through his challenges one day at a time. If you could use a bit of inspiration with just the right amount of humor, suspense and romance sprinkled in, then you'll probably love The Legend of Bagger Vance.

This isn't really a 10 star movie. But after reading all the magic negro stuff and complaints about the characters are too wooden, and that Matt Damon and Will Smith can't act, I gave it a 10 to balance out against all the bitter people who like to go on the internet and slag stuff, I bumped up what in reality is probably more fairly scored as a 7 or 8.In my opinion, Will Smith is excellent in this film, possibly one his best performances ever. Is he a bit young to be a guru to anybody? Maybe, but I find him utterly convincing and as the film reveals, it's not really ultimately important how that character looks. If anything, I think it adds more strength to the story by not giving that role to someone like Morgan Freeman and for the 1930's South, a black man caddying for a white golfer is fairly reasonable. And I think Damon does a good job of conveying his inner turmoil without saying too much. Anyone who has ever had a crisis of self can relate to this film, I think.Without spoiling the film or ending, I will just say that if you like movies about people overcoming adversity and putting their burdens behind them, it's a quality film for you.