On the surface, Robert Redford’s The Legend of Bagger Vance appears to be a touching story about golf and how it affects residents of Depression-era Savannah, Ga. A closer look reveals that the heart of the film rests in making a strong analogy linking the finer points of golf to the intricacies of life.
Matt Damon, who has quickly established himself as one of America’s most versatile young actors, stars as Randolph Junuh, a former amateur golfer and a war hero. Junuh’s post-war life has become a dangerous cocktail of alcohol and loneliness, and Damon does a fantastic job portraying Junuh’s deep sense of misery and isolation.
The lovely Charlize Theron plays Junuh’s wealthy former girlfriend, Adele Invergordon, whose goal in life is to bring her father’s wish of having the best golf resort in the South to fruition.
Adele invests all her time and money into bringing two of the world’s premiere golfers, Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill), to her luscious golf course in Savannah, for the mother of all exhibition matches.
Jones is the All-American hero of professional golf, with his toothy smile, sharp clothing and beautiful swing. Hagen is the antithesis of Jones: He is a heavy drinker and smoker whose shots are often wild, but somehow he always seems to save himself with a few miraculously well-placed shots.
City fathers are against the idea of the match, until it is suggested that a Savannah native play in the match as well.
Junuh seems to be the logical choice, but upon finding him, it is discovered that Junuh has become more proficient at drinking and gambling than golfing. Questions soon arise as to whether Junuh will be ready and willing to play in time for the big match.
One of Junuh’s biggest supporters is someone who had previously heard of his golfing feats only in legend, young Hardy Greaves (played convincingly by newcomer J. Michael Moncrief). In fact, it is Hardy who, shown in the modern day as a senior citizen (played by the incomparable Jack Lemmon, in an uncredited role), narrates the film.
Hardy begs Junuh to play, if for no other reason than pride for the city of Savannah. Junuh agrees to play, but the fact that he “lost his swing” remains a huge problem.
Mysteriously, a wise man named Bagger Vance (the talented Will Smith) appears, seemingly out of nowhere, to help Junuh. Bagger becomes Junuh’s caddy and dispenses valuable advice that pertains both to the golf course and to Junuh’s personal life, such as, “A man’s grip on his club is just like a man’s grip on his world,” is a good example of the wisdom of Bagger.
There is a lot of uncertainty throughout the film as to whether Bagger is an actual person or a supernatural force that aids Junuh in his time of need. Either way, Junuh takes Bagger’s advice to heart and is able to overcome his personal demons and play some inspired golf, as well as mending some relationship wounds from his past.
The beauty of this movie is that, unlike most sports movies, the final heroic outcome of the big match is not really the centerpiece of the story. What is truly important here is Junuh’s development as a character, and the way the audience can see him rebuild his confidence both on the course and in his relationships with others. In addition, Redford’s direction showcases the lush fairways of the golf course, as the vibrant green grass nearly pops off the screen.
Great performances by talented actors such as Smith, Damon and Theron, as well as a touching story about the endurance of the human spirit, make Bagger Vance soar above the crowd in the sports movie genre. B+