The Legend of Bagger Vance (2001, VHS)

In The Legend Of Bagger Vance, Robert Redford once again returns to territory where he's familiar as both an actor and as a director. Redford seems to be fond of movies where sports activities are a metaphor for life. In The Natural, Redford starred as Roy Hobbs, a baseball player who waited years for a shot at big league glory. In A River Runs Through It, Redford directed the tale of Norman Maclean, a college professor who always found peace and pleasure in fly fishing. In The Legend Of Bagger Vance, Redford adapts Steven Pressfield's novel to film, where golf is the metaphor.

Will Smith stars as the title character, whom I'd describe as a caddy spirit to wayward golfers. Matt Damon is that wayward golfer, Runnulph Junuh. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Junuh was the Georgia amateur champion in the years before World War I. He, like all the young men of Savannah, answered the call to service. Unlike the others who returned alive, he did not return to the life he led before the war. Affected by the experience, Junuh simply kept to himself a lot. He did not return to golf or to his beloved, Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron). She never married, but did find herself struggling to keep the golf course that her late father created with his life savings. It was an expensive proposition, and when the Depression hit the nation, he found his way out by suicide.

Adele must find a way to attract business or lose the course. She gets the idea to invite golf greats Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill) to Savannah to play in an exhibition match. The business community of Savannah supports the idea, but they want a native son in the contest who will give Jones and Hagen a run for their money. The only person who fits that description is Junuh, who spends most of his time drinking and gambling. Adele and a young golf enthusiast named Hardy Greaves (J. Michael Moncrief) prevail upon him, and soon Junuh is picking up his clubs again, trying to find the swing he says he's lost.

As he practices in the night, Junuh is approached by Vance, who sees this golfer is a little rusty. He's not your typical caddy, as he's not very helpful at suggesting a club. His approach is more philosophical as he coaxes a better game out Junuh. All three men will need to bring their best, as they will be playing their 72 hole contest over the course of two days. This tournament will prove to be a crossroads for all three golfers.

The Legend Of Bagger Vance is a beautiful-looking, interesting film, but it's not nearly as compelling as Redford's other forays into sports metaphors. The movie's pace becomes too slow during the golf tournament. That segment plays like a televised golf tourney - and I don't watch golf. The slow pace made it difficult for me to stay interested. Nevertheless, the actors deliver, especially Smith and McGill. Bagger Vance is a kind, warm, easygoing soul, reminding the lone soul Runnulph Junuh has become that life has joys to offer, provided he lets the good happen. McGill is a proud, mannered duffer who loves the show and the attention of the ladies. Another nice performance is turned in by Jack Lemmon, who has a small role as the adult Hardy, still making time for the game he loves, still hoping he can find the stroke of Runnulph Junuh every now and then. In spite of the slow moments, I enjoyed The Legend Of Bagger Vance. It's a tale of rediscovery and redemption of a man who has lost his way through no fault of his own. Sometimes, we, just like Junuh, need a little help finding our way back.