Well-done period movie

Rating: 7/10 (11 February 2001)

If you asked me what subject I would suggest for a period piece, I guess golfing in the Great Depression probably wouldn't have been on my list.
But it was on Robert Redford's list, and this Will Smith/Matt Damon golf-o-rama carries itself pretty well through over two hours.
Rannulph Junuh (Damon) is the town of Savannah's golfing hero, before being drafted to fight in World War One. Losing his entire platoon doesn't do his mental health any good though, and he returns to Savannah anonymously after being presumed dead 12 years. His old girlfriend Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron - aaaaaah) has been waiting and isn't one bit happy that Junuh hasn't written.
With me so far? Good.
In order to save the family golf course and prove to the town that her fathers' building of it and subsequent suicide weren't in vain, Adele (Charlize - aaaaaaaah) persuades the two top golfers in the country to play against each other. Junuh is reluctantly made to agree to play in the competition. He's game's no good though, but things start to improve when a mysterious caddy shows up and shows him the answer to life, the universe, and everything. Oh, and golf.
Truth be told, my heart sank when Will Smith arrived. I though he was going to cheapen the movie by lowering it to his fast-talking, joke cracking, streetwise (i.e. usual) style. However, he plays the happy-go-lucky Bagger very well; and portrays a character that's easy to believe. Hard to admit Smith can acutally act. That said however, you never quite get over the fact that this is Will Smith here; it's like watching old Leslie Nielsen movies where he plays serious parts - you're waiting for the joke, and it never comes.
Go see this for something paced a little more toward the American south - i.e. a little more slowly. Don't expect riotous action or fast-n-furious comedy - but this one will make you smile.
Special mention: Cinematographer Michael Ballhaus gets a free lollipop for some excellent visual work. Actor B-List Spotters like me will also get a smile - Lane Smith plays - guess what? - a reporter (From The Earth To The Moon, New Superman etc.).