Fore! Watch out for flying golf balls.

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2001)

I was expecting much more from a Robert Redford film, and I have had some decent screen moments from Matt Damon, but this film never got anywhere. Firstly, you are asked to believe that a former WW I soldier, who now spends his time getting drunk and playing poker, is one of the best golfers to ever come out of Georgia.
Thanks to a nosy kid, a woman who inherited her father's debt-ridden golf course, manages to stage a match for $10,000, (Keep in mind that she was stone broke) winner take all, with the improbable matchup of Walter Hagan and Bobby Jones, two of the greatest to ever play the game. To represent the "honah" of Savannah, she calls upon our local drunk and former golfer, as well as her former boyfriend (same guy), with the improbable name of Rannulph Junuh. Quite honestly, I enjoyed the name of this character better than the film.
Well, here we go. The match is arranged for two days of 36 holes each, yet when the they finish the first 18 holes, it's dark, yet they show the next 18 holes taking place in brilliant sunshine. If you like, and/or play golf, you'll find all sorts of things incorrect in this story. If you don't play, I doubt you'll like this melange at all.
Now let's come to "Bagger" himself. Here comes Will Smith, who is so miscast, it must have even made him laugh. He attempts to portray this "Is he an angel or isn't he?" character. I can't believe that Redford's direction allowed Smith to give this almost "silly" portrayal of a down and out caddy, who knows everything there is to know about golf. Even Charlene Theron, couldn't convince me of her role.
When you consider parting with two hours and seven minutes of your precious time, check and see if it's raining. Anyone knows you shouldn't play golf in the rain (or the dark either). I guess no one told Redford that.
In golf a "bogey" is a bad score. I give this film, a triple-bogey. That's three OVER par.