The Legend of Bagger Vance (PG-13) No Rating
Matt Damon is Rocky with a golf club in Robert Redford's above-par sports drama.
Story
Once considered the most promising young golfer in the South, Rannulph Junuh (Damon) hasn't been the same since some World War I trench action messed with his head. A decade later, his society-gal, former lover (Charlize Theron) needs a local boy to take on America's top two linksmen in a high-stakes tournament she's organized. Can Rannulph, aided by mysterious philosopher-caddy Bagger Vance (Will Smith), get his swing back in time to win it all?
Acting
The talented Damon turns on some serious movie-star charm in an all-American role one can't help but imagining director-producer Redford playing 30 years earlier. World-class smoothie Smith is similarly easy to watch delivering most of the script's best lines as a golf bag-hauling guru who approaches the game with the detachment of a Zen master. The cast's weakest link is South African bombshell Theron ("The Cider House Rules"), uncomfortably outside her range as a Depression-era Scarlett O'Hara trying to hold onto the family golf resort.
Direction
Redford's old-school Hollywood style is instantly recognizable, from his optimistic view of human nature and mile-wide sentimental streak to the film's lovingly photographed outdoor imagery. Viewers sense they are in the hands of a careful pro who will neither make a serious misstep nor take things in too surprising a direction. It's little wonder the Sundance Kid was attracted to Steven Pressfield's source novel. The film's elevation of golf to a metaphor for living is a direct successor to Redford's use of trout fishing in "A River Runs Through It" and horse training in "The Horse Whisperer," not to mention his starring role as a baseball player in "The Natural."
Bottom Line
Like a PGA champ, "Bagger Vance" edges out the competition with a series of well-calculated strokes.
To get the full Quicklook Films experience, uncheck "Enable on this Site" from Adblock Plus
box office top 10
Ghostbusters : Frozen Empire Released: March 22, 2024 Cast: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon 45.2M
Dune: Part Two Released: March 1, 2024 Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson 17.6M
Kung Fu Panda 4 Released: March 8, 2024 Cast: Jack Black, Viola Davis 16.8M
Immaculate Released: March 22, 2024 Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte 5.4M
Arthur the King Released: March 15, 2024 Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu 4.4M
Late Night with the Devil Released: March 22, 2024 Cast: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon 2.8M
Imaginary Released: March 8, 2024 Cast: DeWanda Wise, Tom Payne (II) 2.8M
Love Lies Bleeding Released: March 8, 2024 Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian 1.6M
Cabrini Released: March 8, 2024 Cast: Cristiana Dell'Anna, John Lithgow 1.4M
Bob Marley: One Love Released: February 14, 2024 Cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch 1.1M