authenticity, interpretation

Rating: 6/10 (7 August 2001)

Interpretation, spoilers:
Junuh, having spent many years as the local hero, becomes disillusioned when he discovers that his heroism does not cross over to the battle field. It takes Bagger Vance to teach Junuh that things such as heroic glory are of no importance compared to authenticity.
For those of you current on modern ideas, the term `authentic' should immediately be recognized as an earmark of existentialism. Basically, in a godless world completely devoid of any intrinsic meaning, meaning can only be found in living `true to oneself,' authentically. To live for external rewards such as glory in the sporting arena is futile, because both winning and losing amount to the same thing in a meaningless world. Meaning can only be found subjectively through one's personal experience, existentially. Thus, both life and golf `can only be played, not won.'

The movie is basically a look at Junuh's gradual attainment of authenticity. His early days of golf stardom serve as a gigantic obstacle, because Junuh mistakenly believes that his authentic life is the same as his life of fame. The war shatters this ill-founded illusion, and now Junuh must come to grips with reality.
Bagger has a sort of method in imparting authenticity onto Junuh. First, everything must be taken cheerfully calmly. Go with the flow and be yourself. There is no point frustrating yourself with the game of golf or the game of life. For Junuh, either his authentic self is a good golfer or it isn't, bellyaching will change absolutely nothing. Second, in order to be yourself, you must forget everyone else. This is symbolically shown when the crowd becomes imperceptible to Junuh, `it is just you and the ball.' This existential dictum is also demonstrated by Hardy's overcoming his shame of his father and his job. Hardy realizes that his father is living authentically by doing what he feels best, and the crowd reaction has no relevance whatsoever. Lastly, given the subjective nature of authenticity, it must be learned subjectively. Vance cannot just tell Junuh what to do. He can only prod and must let Junuh learn himself from his gains and mistakes.

This last point is illustrated by Junuh's misuse of the iron driver and by Vance's last hole vacancy. Vance cannot be around at the end, he needs Junuh to fully realize that he can only depend on himself to find his true self. When Vance allows Junuh to make the iron mistake, one of a few impediments to authenticity is shown. The three impediments in tension throughout the movie are: Junuh's heroism, Jones' perfectionism, and Hagen's womanization. Placing any one of these three dead ends over authenticity will leave one with a fake happiness. During the iron mistake, Junuh becomes infatuated with heroism, women, and the need for a perfect shot again. Thus the consequent fiasco.
Luckily, he overcomes, and the movie concludes that through authenticity one attains true happiness. Junuh attains his true love of golf, his love of his woman, and everything works out. But, to be consistent, these last two triumphs should be taken as symbolically representing happiness. Authenticity is the major objective given, and Junuh is not happy because he has a girl and his game, but because he has himself. `The game can only be played, not won.'