Beautifully filmed golf story

Rating: 8/10 (11 April 2001)

As a director, Robert Redford has gained a reputation for making beautifully photographed human-interest stories (`The Horse Whisperer', `A River Runs Through It') and this film fits that mold. From a production standpoint, this film is an 11. It has gorgeous photography, incredible locations, wonderful period costumes and props, and terrific golf sequences. The story is an old-fashioned underdog story with a man fighting against the odds and himself in quest of victory and self respect. It gets a bit corny at times with the `Golf is Life' metaphors and the story is predictable, but Redford conjures fascinating characters and endows the story with a great deal of affability.
If there is one area where the film falters, it is in the character of Bagger Vance. This is no reflection on Will Smith, who did an outstanding job with the character. It has more to do with the way the character is written and Redford's way of presenting him. Vance is presented in a way that is too quirky and enigmatic which dissipates some of his impact. There has been much speculation about the character. Is he a real person, or an angel, or is he just a representation of Junuh's (Matt Damon) mental battle with himself? The last scene points to the angel theory, but Redford purposely leaves the issue nebulous.
It is a mistake for Redford to personify Vance as a black man dressed like a hobo. In Savannah in the 1930's, you were not likely to have seen a black caddie at an exclusive country club, particularly one dressed in tattered clothes. Redford completely ignores the issue of race in the film. During the entire film, not a single person makes so much as a crossways look or comment at this disheveled black person consorting with high society, which is utterly unrealistic and anachronistic. Perhaps Redford is trying to contrast the wisdom of simple folks against the deluded self-importance of the wealthy, which is a noble message with a ring of truth. However, the incongruence of the character and the times makes the entire story much less like a legend and more like a contrived fairy tale.
As an enthusiast for the game, I am delighted at how wonderfully the golf scenes are done. From an athletic standpoint, Joel Gretsch is a marvelous choice for Bobby Jones because Gretsch has a classic golf swing as did Jones. Similarly, Bruce McGill does a good job imitating Hagan. McGill is an avid golfer and he adjusted his swing to make it more ugly, more like Hagan's swing. The biggest surprise is Matt Damon, who never picked up a golf club until this film. He worked with a golf-pro and developed a nice looking swing, hitting some fine shots in the process.
The acting is outstanding. Damon gives another superb performance, capturing the conflict and determination of the character and the mental gymnastics of the sport. Charlize Theron is full of affected southern charm and belts out a fine Georgia accent. Bruce McGill is flamboyant and charismatic as the pompous Hagen. Though I don't agree with the way Bagger Vance is presented as a character, I can't imagine anyone doing a better portrayal of him than Will Smith. Smith is charming, wily and cantankerous giving Vance a wise yet homespun air.
This is a beautiful film to watch and a gift to golf lovers. The story is somewhat trite, but the presentation is splendid. I rated it an 8/10 on the strength of the production values and my love of the game. Subtract one or two points if you think golf is boring. Add a couple if you believe that life is a metaphor for golf.