It's even better if you believe golf is a form of religion

Rating: 9/10 (10 November 2000)

My father used to say that a walk on the golf course on Sunday morning was a better way to appreciate what God has given us than going into a church. It's a given that my mother merely thought that was an excuse, but I found out it is true. Golf is game between a player and the golf course. Anyone that thinks differently is confused or doesn't play the game. All mistakes start and end in the mind. When you believe in yourself you play up to your ability. When you don't beleve in yourself, it can be a long day. This is the lesson Bagger is trying to teach young Rannulph. His willingness to listen to Bagger Vance and his desire to please his jilted lover go a long way to completing the trip back from his self inflicted depression, but as in life the last steps must be taken alone. Will Smith and Matt Damon play well off of each other. (I am constantly amazed at the breadth of talent of Will Smith.) I really enjoyed Redfords long lingering look at this time and it's customs. (I have no time for people that say this movie drags. These are the people that would take a motor scooter through the El Prado so they could say they were there.) His casting was brilliant. The photography was stunning. The music was moving. I know the story is somewhat trite and certainly has been told many ways in the past. But the setting and the characters made it fresh and charming all over again. I didn't give this film a high rating only because I think Redford made one huge mistake. In his role in "Out of Africa" he wouldn't try an English accent, because he didn't feel he could do it good enough. I wish he had told Charlzie Theron the same thing. While I think she is a great actress and I have enjoyed her in other films, her over the top depiction of the southern Belle was to much for me.