Die Legende von Bagger Vance

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a movie as much as I did this one. We all watch movies for a lot of reasons besides the obvious reason of "entertainment." While THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE does it in a most charming and entertaining way it is all about Redemption. Each of us faces adversity in our daily life and how we face it marks the quality of the life that we live. Junuh has faced personal demons for more than ten years since he fought in WW I. The "Loss of his swing" is more than an athletic loss that he refers to. He has lost his faith in himself and his ability to face life after his return from the war.

The role of Bagger Vance, ably played by Will Smith, was not as God like as the character described by Steven Pressfield in his book from which this film was adapted. In the movie Vance had the ability to help people think beyond the obvious and to reach back for something special. In Junuh he helps reinstill a personal belief and an appreciation of life. In the Pressfield book, Vance WAS a God.

All of the roles were well played and the young boy playing Lemmon in his youth stole the show. It was also good to see Jack Lemmon in his final movie role. I thought it was an interesting coincidence that Lemmon's final role was in a mystical movie just as Burt Lancaster's was in THE FIELD OF DREAMS. The score was also especially moving and the music fit the movie to a "T." This is a different kind of movie but still qualifies as a "feel good" movie. We don't always have an opportunity to go back and take a second stab at life and that is the beauty of this movie.

It is a wonderful thing to be able to go back and make amends for mistakes we have made in our lives and to come out on the other side as a better person. That is what Junuh was able to achieve and that made me feel very good when the credits rolled. For those of you who thought this was a golfing movie that is not the case. It is a movie about life and the chance to make a fresh start which is always important for those who struggle to overcome adversity.

What I really liked about The Legend Of Bagger Vance is the great care that director Robert Redford did in evoking the feel and ambiance of Savannah, Georgia in the Great Depression. I really did feel like I was back in that time watching this story about a match between the greatest golfers of their era, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. A match where a local man, Matt Damon gave the greats a run for their money.

Harve Presnell one of Savannah's leading citizens has invested everything in the development of a new golf course and when stock market crashed he loses everything and takes his own life. Staving off her father's creditors Charlize Theron vows that this course will open and will feature a match between the two best of their time Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. However for a little local rooting interest the townsfolk insist on a local player in with the big guys.

Said local player is Matt Damon who went to war in 1917 and came out bitter, disillusioned and drunk. Back in the day people in Savannah thought Damon might have a future in professional golf then really at its beginning. But he hasn't swung a club in a decade.

This entire story is seen through the eyes of young J. Michael Moncrief who in time grows up to be Jack Lemmon who appears at the beginning and end of the film in his farewell role. Lemmon also provides the narration for The Legend Of Bagger Vance.

Damon eventually accepts, but it's only when Will Smith comes along playing the title role as a most mysterious man who offers to be his caddy that Damon plays. Smith imparts some real life lessons that both Damon and young Moncrief take in.

Other than Will Smith the only time you see any black people in the film is when Damon is discovered, living reclusively, drinking heavily and in a poker game with several black people. In segregated Savannah of the Twenties while you see a genteel version of the South it still has its racist mores and only Damon and Moncrief break them. The only black face you see in the crowds at the celebrated match is Will Smith's.

Joel Gretsch as Bobby Jones and Bruce McGill as Walter Hagen exactly fit the conception I had of both Jones and Hagen. They were as different as baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Hagen was a cheerful hedonist who was quoted as saying he didn't want to be a millionaire just live like one. Jones was the epitome of clean living and good sportsmanship. Among those covering the match was Grantland Rice played here by Lane Smith in his farewell role.

How the match comes out is for you to watch the film for. But some life lessons are learned by all the players.

This will be short. This will be sweet.

After viewing this film, I am feeling really good about myself right about now. This movie was uplifting and inspiring. You will feel good about yourself after seeing it. And that is probably what Robert Redford has hoped would happen. Hehe. That little s***. This movie has the exact feel of those other feel-good movies that have come before it. Ex. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, OCTOBER SKY, etc. But, for some reason THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE seemed to be one of the better films of that genre. It almost made me cry, which very rarely ever happens. Matt Damon is a good actor. I hope to see more of him everywhere. If you are in the mood for a happy movie that will make you feel good about yourself, see this one.....5/5.

Oh, and it was good to see Jack Lemmon in this film. Especially since it is the last one he ever plays in.

Succesful film with a sentimental story and intelligent character studio . Touching and sensitive portrait of an ex-golf winner who participates in the U. S. International Open in Savannah , Georgia, against two sports idols , the 2 greatest golfers of their time, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen to play for $10,000 and being based on a true story . Classic story rings true because of Matt Damon's complex and adequate acting and stunningly realized by director Robert Redford. Exceptional Matt Damon and Will Smith displaying first-rate performances reaching an important milestone and a terrific Joel Grestch and Bruce McGill as their upright as well as serious contenders . As a tired War Vet named Rannulph Junuh : Matt Damon gets a chance to play against two biggest winners. As Rannunlph gets to achieve for big time , thanks to a caddy , as he triumphs over by odds , but sheer determination helps them attain their dream , playing the final Open , as he gets the chance to participate in the International Golf Championship , no matter how far-fetched the dream . Meanwhile , he falls in love for a wealthy young girl (Charlize Theron) who at the same time organizes the tournament. As he has an intelligent skill to no match for the class boundaries . Some Things Can't Be Learned. They Must Be Remembered. It Was Just A Moment Ago.

A sympathetic and agreeable film about a down-and-out golfer well played by Matt Damon tries to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy magnificently performed by Will Smith . An enjoyable tale based on the Savannah Championship in which took part three famous international champs played by Joel Gretsch , Bruce McGill and Matt Damon . It contains a classic plot about personal overcoming and deals with a slice of American history , and is plenty of good feeling , heartfelt , interesting characters and formidable performances . However , sometimes is some sentimental and predictable but is still pretty amusing . Likable and enjoyable plot about a disillusioned goll player who attempts to retrieve his old and authentic ¨Swing¨ and his companions a coach and caddie , both of them face the dual challenge to win a world championship and redeeming themselves . Splendid film from the filmmaker Robert Redford of another David beats Goliath sports movie , similarly to ¨Rudy¨ with Sean Astin and ¨Hoosiers¨ with Gene Hackman , and it is even better than ¨The Greatest Game Ever Played ¨ 2005 by Bill Paxton with Shia LaBeouf . Sentimental plot stretches Hollywood manipulation , but is still entertaining delivering an engaging acting as Matt Damon , Will Smith and the likeable little boy J. Michael Moncrief ; they are backed by a good supporting cast , such as : Bruce McGill , Joel Gretsch , Lane Smith , Carrie Preston , Harve Presnell , among others .

Spectacular and rousing musical score by Rachel Portman , fitting perfectly to action . Fine production design and good sets , filmmakers had trouble filling the fields with extras for the final game, and needed to move people around when shooting different angles ; extras were given 1910's hairstyles and their clothing was checked for anachronisms . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Michael Ballhaus ; filmed on location in Jekyll Island , Georgia , Savannah , Georgia , Beaufort , Hilton Head , Kiawah Island, South Carolina, Bluffton, Charleston, South Carolina . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Robert Redford , he's a notorious producer/director and especially actor ; being this one his sixth film , the first one was the Oscarized Ordinary People , following : The Milagro Beanfield War , River runs through , The Horse Whisperer , Quiz Show , The Company You Keep , Conspiracy , Lions for Lambs , Cathedrals of Culture , among others . Rating : 7/10. Better than average , worthwhile seeing .

Sports Illustrated once rated this the worst movie of all time. They're Crazy! Great story. Will Smith is excellent. Love the kid who plays the local Savannah boy! One of my favorite-if not my very favorite-golf movies.