I know Americans love their golf, but even as a golf-lover and player myself, it seems to me it is a difficult sport in which to impart cinematic drama and though beautiful to look at, Robert Redford's gentle film treads a little too gently on the grass to really satisfy.Redford's recreation of the American South is gorgeous if sanitised to the point of caricature. The rich seem too rich and the poor too poor and for another thing there's a distinct lack of the expected good ol' boy prejudice in the air around Will Smith's black caddie. If, as others have suggested, this is down to his character's supernatural influence on everyone, why make him black at all? I wasn't completely convinced by the elusive nature of his Bagger Vance, even as I get the Hindu allusions in his character name and metaphysical impact on Matt Damon's Junuh character as helps him to "find himself" at the same time upholding the sportsmanship of the game of golf as it used to be.I just thought the Zen and the golf made for awkward bed-fellows plus I also thought it wrong to accredit Damon's character with the key moment of sportsmanship in the film (when he calls a foul on himself that no-one else sees) when in real-life this was actually done by Bobby Jones himself, here portrayed merely as one of Junuh's playing partners.As for the acting, I usually like Matt Damon but felt his "little-boy-lost" depiction seemed shallow, ditto Will Smith's beatific Vance while I also Charlize Theron's southern belle character a bit too rich and loud for my taste. Director Redford's cinematography as indicated is all soft-focus and golden-hued, tributing a by-gone age and there are some nice unobtrusive special effects inserted into the golf match between the two golfing greats and Damon's Junuh, especially the floodlit finale, but for me a golf-ball rolling into a hole just doesn't make for great cinema, unlike say a knockout punch at golf or a home-run hit in baseball.This is a lovingly made film by all concerned but I think in the end think I might have preferred a couple of hours myself on an actual golf course than cosy up to Redford's just- too-nice fantasy film.

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.

I really wanted to like this movie. I'm a keen golfer. More than that, a keen student of the history of golf. And I actually believe many of the things that are said about golf in this film. Unfortunately they are drowned in endless sickening violins, and Will Smith's awful, permanently smirking character. If I had to play a round of golf with a pontificating smirker like that, it would be really all I could do to get round the course without making a serious attempt to do him an injury. There are certainly other nits that could be picked - the rules of golf are not well respected in the presentation, and the movie is rather unfair to Robert Jones and Walter Hagen, who were, after all, real people. But the massively annoying Bagger Vance character and the dreadful syrupy music drowning all significant moments are what really sink the movie. The style of the cinematography somewhat matches the music, but I could have lived with that, if it were not for the other problems. Given the paucity of decent golf movies, I suppose this is worth checking out for those interested in golf and its history, but it really is a bit much to take - muting the sound, especially when Bagger is speaking, might improve it quite a bit (although you'd still have to endure the best part of an hour of that annoying smirk).