Cloying sentimentality and old fashioned filmmaking merge in this pretentious yet well-meaning adaptation

Rating: Null/10 (29 April 2004)

THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE (2000) ** Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Bruce McGill, Joel Gretsch, J. Michael Moncrief, Peter Gerety, Jack Lemmon. Cloying sentimentality and old fashioned filmmaking merge in this pretentious yet well-meaning adaptation of Steven Pressfield's novel set during The Great Depression in Savannah, GA with Damon as a WW I vet and former local hero/golf legend so traumatized by his experience on the battlefield he has sought succor in booze and self-pity.
Enter his estranged Southern belle socialite girlfriend Theron to provide a reason for living with a charity raising golf tournament to save her late father's struggling golf course and with the aide of mysterious guardian angel caddie Smith giving life lessons on the link what could possibly go wrong? Director Robert Redford recycles the golden boy imagery and fable-through-sports themes a la 'The Natural' with mixed results with fine performances (even if it is arguable that Smith's character borderlines the cliched/stereotypical noble Negro to Save The White Man outlook) yet his heart is in the right place; perhaps not for these too cynical times.