The Legend of Bagger Vance

Tom's Recommended Film of the Week

The Legend of Bagger Vance

We're hoping for spring to finally arrive here in Wisconsin, so, in hopes of rushing it along, I watched an old favorite golf movie this week, The Legend of Bagger Vance. My father-in-law has always enjoyed this film and I think most golfers feel the same way. It's grand in a way, but it's the little things in this film that mean the most. Though it chooses golf as its vehicle, The Legend of Bagger Vance is most certainly offering us its viewpoint on life.

The Legend of Bagger Vance
is well written, carefully directed by Robert Redford and solidly played by the entire cast, including Matt Damon and Will Smith in unusually quite and subtle rolls, plus Charlize Theron and Bruce McGill in bold rolls and a beautiful performance by Joel Gretsch as Bobby Jones. The scenes are perfectly staged, framed, lighted and shot, providing the maximum experience fro the viewer. It's one of those near perfect films that can be enjoyed by a wide audience from generation to generation.

If you enjoy golf as a pastime, you will enjoy this film. If you have had some struggles in your life, I think you will also enjoy this film. And if you have ever know someone, or been someone, who had to crawl back from the depths of disillusionment, you will appreciate this film.