Satisfying And Entertaining Despite Issues Involved In It

Rating: 9/10 (31 December 2011)

Robert Redford directed this adaptation of a novel by Steven Pressfield that uses golf as a metaphor for one man's spiritual and philosophical journeys in The Legend of Bagger Vance.The movie features Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. It is based on the 1995 book of the same title by Steven Pressfield and takes place in the U.S. state of Georgia in 1931.
Rannulph Junuh was a gifted amateur golfer from Savannah until traumatic experiences during World War I shattered his confidence and sent him into a spiral of alcoholism. In 1931, Adele Invergordon, a beautiful heiress who once loved Junuh, inherits a spectacular but financially ailing golf course after the suicide of her father. To attract customers, she proposed a high-stakes match between the two most famous golfers of the day, Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen.Local businessmen sponsoring the match insist that a local golfer be added to the card, and Junuh is drafted for the position, but it soon becomes obvious that his game is just a shadow of its former glory. When things seem hopeless, a mysterious gentleman named Bagger Vance volunteers to serve as Junuh's caddy and coach, using a mixture of ancient wisdom and past- life knowledge to help Junah "remember" the swing he's lost. Jack Lemmon,in his final film,provides narration in the movie.
Although a lot of the critics hated the film due to the performances are hindered by an inadequate screenplay full of flat characters and bad dialogue as well as how it glosses over issues of racism,it manages to be a good view.Will Smith shows skill and subtlety in his ludicrous role as Bagger Vance. With regards to the production design,the visuals were superior as well.Although it may turn off some viewers,this is still an above average film as the talent involved makes this material worth the viewer's time for entertainment and satisfaction.