Rating: 
Summary: Hindu Philosophy meets Golf in the Deep South
Review: One aspect of this film not brought up is the fact that it is loosly based on the Bhagavad-Gita (refered to my many as "the Hindu New Testiment"). Anyone who has read this great masterpiece of literature should see this movie, if they have not already!Will Smith's Character Bagger Vance reprsents Krishna, who is also called "Bhagavan"; Matt Damon plays Randall Juna ("R. Juna") who represents Krishna's friend Arjuna. Instead of Arjuna's chariot driver, Bagger is Juna's caddy. While this doesn't follow the story of the BG exactly, for those who know the story and the philosophy, both shine through in a beautiful and endearing way. Juna has returned from WWI with a case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(called Shell Shock back then) and refuses to pick up his clubs and play golf in a tournement held in his hometown (like Arjuna's refusal to fight at the opening of the Barata War). Bagger tells Juna that "Inside each one of us is our one true authentic swing" and once, when someone asks him what is wrong with Juna, Bagger answers "The problem is, he still thinks he's Randall Juna!" Hindu philosophy is peeking out of ever dark corner in this film. It is truly a Gem, and I'm not usually a Will Smith or a Matt Damon fan... If you're a student of Indian religion or philosophy, you MUST see this film!
Rating:
Summary: A great learning tool for seasoned golfers and everyone else
Review: Like many movies that have come before it, "The Legend of Bagger Vance" succeeds in being a great sports movie with a much deeper overall meaning. Mr. Junuh (Matt Damon) has had great times in the past by being the most promising young golfer of his time and making a classic shot that everybody remembers him by. He had also found the love of his life in Adele (Charlize Theron). It seems his destiny to lead his city, Savannah, Georgia, in a terrible war that will be followed by The Great Depression. After the war is over, things could either go right or wrong for Junah; it's his choice. He can pick up where he left off with his girlfriend and his golf game, or he can forget the whole thing. When a golf tournament is announced, Junah can either make the choice to find the unbelievable golf swing he once had and make himself and everybody else proud, or he can stay down and depressed in his current after-war syndrome. Again, it's his choice. "The Legend of Bagger Vance" is a great movie by one of the best directors, Robert Redford. It tells the story of ups and downs of a great citizen in a realistic manner, and it's a great movie for golfers and non-golfing fans to see. Everybody in the movie does a great job of acting, namely Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, and Will Smith, who plays the role of the great Bagger Vance, who is a GREAT teacher and enthusiast in the game of golf, and life. Not to mention that the late, great Jack Lemmon provides the voice for Hardy, the boy through which the story is told throughout the movie. Apart from the acting and directing, the script is the best asset of the movie; pay attention while you watch it and you'll see what I mean. Anybody can do anything they set their mind to. If you let your struggles, especially the ones in your past, rule your mind and take a hold of not only your mind, but take YOU over, things might not turn out like you want them to. That is only one of the great messages that "The Legend of Bagger Vance" promotes. Just take my advice and give "The Legend of Bagger Vance" a chance, even if you don't like golfing (I'm not a huge fan of the sport myself), because it is a truly great movie about not only golf, but life.
Rating: 
Summary: Liked the movie, and I don't even like golf!
Review: I enjoyed The Legend of Bagger Vance, but I should tell you that a lot of people, as well as some critics, did not. I suppose I can understand why. A movie that seems to be about golf as a Zen experience isn't likely to excite many viewers. I grew up in a golfing family, and I doubt that any of my uncles, aunts and cousins ever had a Zen encounter. If any of them did, they certainly didn't know what it was. Still, one of the purposes of the movies is to find magic and mysticism in seemingly ordinary things. Field of Dreams did it to baseball while A River Runs Through It brought new meaning to fly fishing. Savannah, Georgia is in the midst of The Great Depression. It ruined the city's richest man, who then killed himself. His daughter, Adele [Charlize Theron], is determined to preserve his last great accomplishment, a magnificent golf course on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. She decides to hold an exhibition match between the then greatest American golfers, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. The city fathers insist that she include a local golfer in the match. They want Rannulph Junuh [Matt Damon], who happens to be Adele's ex-fiance, but Junuh was traumatized in World War I. He gave up Adele and golf and now spends his time drinking and playing poker on his plantation. He laughs at the idea of a comeback, but one night a stranger shows up at his house and offers to be his caddy. The man is Bagger Vance [Will Smith]. He may or may not be a spirit or angel, but whatever he is, he gets Junuh to enter the match and to put him back the path of life he so long ago gave up on. This is one of the most sumptuous and beautiful movies of last year. The cinemaphotography by Michael Ballhaus is stunning. Rachel Portman, one of the best composers working in film today, contributes a lyrical and moving score. Director Robert Redford has a sure hand. He must have known exactly where he wanted the movie to go long before production began. The acting is low-keyed and assured. Will Smith's role is a departure for him, and he makes the most of it. Matt Damon and Charlize Theron are charming. I think two things play against The Legend of Bagger Vance. One is that audiences currently favor movies that are cynical and fast-paced, and this one is positive and somewhat slow. The other is that it revolves around golf, and I can think of no boxoffice hit with that sport as a central character. The truth is that golf is not the subject. Golf is simply a metaphor for the movie's true meaning, which is that while life is anything but fair or kind, it is decidedly worth living.
Rating: 
Summary: Spike Lee said he didn't like it
Review: ... and for the most part, neither do I. For all his being the title character, Will Smith does not get much screen time. This is a waste of one of the most talented actors today -- not just for the comedy which made him famous, but for drama as well. Despite this glaring shortcoming, the movie is very pretty, taking place in the 1920s American South. Matt Damon plays Rannulph Junuh, a local boy done good with his golfing, but he's lost his swing after the World War. Bagger helps him get his swing back. Charlize Theron is Adele, the woman he left behind, whose estate depends on his winning the golf tournament. This movie would have earned 5 stars if it had given Smith's character more to work with. But the omission is a crying shame. Smith's fans may be disappointed if they attend due to his draw. But if you like movies set in a different time period, this is still a good bet for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Overcooked
Review: Not sure of direction of movie...muddled with confusing mix of "Zen", "Golf", and "Life Journey"...Will Smith definetly not able to carry-off role of a "fuzzy" spiritual guide (Morgan Freeman type would have been much more effective)...Hard to "buy" package that Matt Damon's problems could all be worked out between Hole #1 and Hole #18...I did find three redeeming factors...Beautiful scenery, "Bobby Jones" golf swing, and young boys enthusiastic and energetic acting performance...
Rating:
Summary: Redford's"authentic swing"
Review: Robert Redford made this movie in his own style.The music, the hero story and the mistery in it is something he always want to create.The mysterious Bagger Vance (Will Smith),is the center of the story.The voodoo adviser helps World War I veteran and former golf champion Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), gets his 'authentic' swing back.In an exhibition match against legendary golfers Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill),Junuh learns the lessons of life.The movie's cast is excellent and again Redford shows he is one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening
Review: This is a really good movie, whether you are a fan of golf or not. The only reason I gave it three stars and not five is because there are several key elements of the book that are either altered or left out completely.
Rating:
Summary: Midnight in the garden of golf clubs...
Review: Even if you haven't the slightest appreciation for golf, this movie is enjoyable. Neither the Great War nor the Depression can keep a gifted golfer down for long. It makes sand traps and the rough seem simple by comparison. But combine it with liquor and the scorn of a needy Southern Belle during desperate times in Savannah, Georgia and even Tiger Woods would find it difficult to stay in "The Zone." In walks the mysterious guardian angel, Bagger Vance to inspire and counsel the distracted clubber with convenient words of wisdom. A thoroughly enjoyable movie, with just a few hints of laughter to be had; Will Smith (who plays the part of Bagger Vance) is for once not playing for rough-house and cut-up laughter as we have come to expect. It was a nice change for the better.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie!
Review: I loved this movie. I just rented a few movies that had looked good when I had seen the previews. I definetly chose the right ones! This is a great movie. I didn't expect to like it but I found myself truly enjoying it. The acting is very good and I loved the movie! This movie may not be what you are looking for in a film but I will tell you now that this is a great film and I definetly suggest renting or buying this!!
Rating:
Summary: One star too many
Review: I first saw this movie as the in-flight movie, on a flight from Baton Rouge, LA to Reno, NV. Which made the already long flight seem never ending. The conversation I over heard from the computer guy and his girlfriend behind me was more interesting. (...)
| 
