The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

Director:

Robert Redford

Writers (WGA):

Steven Pressfield (novel)
Jeremy Leven (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 November 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

Some Things Can't Be Learned. They Must Be Remembered.

Plot:

A down-and-out golfer attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy.

Plot Keywords:

Golf | Game | Golfer | Caddy | Golf Course

Awards:

2 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Will Smith	...	Bagger Vance
Matt Damon	...	Rannulph Junuh
Charlize Theron	...	Adele Invergordon
Bruce McGill	...	Walter Hagen
Joel Gretsch	...	Bobby Jones
J. Michael Moncrief	...	Hardy Greaves
Lane Smith	...	Grantland Rice
Peter Gerety	...	Neskaloosa
Michael O'Neill	...	O.B. Keeler
Thomas Jay Ryan	...	Spec Hammond
Trip Hamilton	...	Frank Greaves
Dermot Crowley	...	Dougal McDermott
Harve Presnell	...	John Invergordon
Danny Nelson	...	McManus
Bob Penny	...	Laidlaw

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | SDDS | DTS-ES

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #37600) | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Canada:PG | Italy:T | Argentina:Atp | Brazil:Livre | Chile:TE | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Beaufort, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Allied Filmmakers

Trivia:

Final film appearance of Jack Lemmon, though he is uncredited.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Junuh is driving his car, he is stopped at an intersection in town by a throng of admirers who completely surround the car; however, in the next shot there are no admirers seen out his back window, and the road behind him is wooded.

Quotes:

Walter Hagen: Hey, I admire the way you're dealing with this match, Junuh. Fighting the way you are. It's damn noble. But no matter how good a fighter you are, just remember, I can ask they King to gold the flag for me when I putt, but he's not going to give me his crown, neither is Bobby and neither am I.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Soundtrack:

My Best Wishes

Not a bad film

I used to love this film a lot, but with time I have grown less fond of it. Still I regard it as a pretty good film, for a number of reasons.

First, it is very well made, and artistically shot with some highly memorable scenes, such as the one where Will Smith first appears out of the dark.

Second, it is very well directed, by Robert Redford.

Third and finally it has a smashing cast, with Will Smith and Matt Damon carrying it beautifully. Surprisingly, Charlize Theron, who I don't tend to like very much in general, is very good as Damon's love interest. Another surprising thing about this film is that the kid, J. Michael Moncrief, is fantastic in his part as young Hardy Greaves (kid actors, with the exceptions of Rupert Grint and Haley Joel Osment, tend to have very poor acting skills. Yes Daniel Radcliffe, I'm thinking of you). Also, look out for Jack Lemmon's (for some reason uncredited) role as the old Hardy Greaves (it was one of his final roles).

"The Legend of Bagger Vance" is a good watch, but it does get a bit monotonous after a while. Still, if you love golf, you're bound to enjoy it. I give a respectable 8/10.