The Legend Of Bagger Vance Review

Director Robert Redford’s latest film tells the tale of Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) a phenomenally talented young golfer who ran away from everything – including his wife (Charlize Theron) – after fighting in World War One. Ten years later he returns a bitter, broken man who has lost his "one true authentic swing." Eventually he gets a shot at redemption when he is offered the chance to represent his home town in a golf tournament, with the two greatest players of the time taking part. Enter Will Smith as the mystical Bagger Vance, a humble young man who persuades Junuh to take part, and takes on the role Junnuh’s caddie, cum mentor and spiritual guide.

As with practically all sports movies the particular sport involved is pretty much irrelevant, and "The Legend Of Bagger Vance" certainly works better as a parable about redemption than a straight forward drama. Unfortunately Redford’s recreation of the horrors of World War One – a pivotal scene in the film – will seem old fashioned and clichéd to anyone who has sat through the first half hour of "Saving Private Ryan," and his failure to flesh out the leading characters’ personalities means we are left with clichés; the determined southern belle, the wounded hero seeking salvation, and the deferential black servant who is far more than he seems. Fans of Will Smith in particular will be disappointed with "…Bagger Vance," as their familiar cocksure hero is reduced to little more than a humble – albeit crucial – supporting role.