The Legend of Bagger Vance
World War I has left golfer Rannulph Junuh a poker-playing alcoholic, his perfect swing gone. Now, however, he needs to get it back to play in a tournament to save the financially ravaged golf course of a long-ago sweetheart. Help arrives in the form of mysterious caddy Bagger Vance.
Critics Sentiment
Junuh hits a hole in one in the third round
Junuh hits ball into forest triggering war flashback
The dramatic drop from Junuh's hole-in-one triumph to his war flashback in the forest represents the film's emotional low point before his final recovery.
Reviews show a steady appreciation for the film's spiritual themes and beautiful cinematography, with particular praise for Will Smith's subdued performance as the mystical caddy. While critics found the sports-as-life metaphor somewhat predictable, most appreciated the feel-good elements and Matt Damon's portrayal of redemption. The film maintains solid sentiment throughout with peaks during golf triumphs and a notable dip during Junuh's traumatic flashback.
Full cast
Matt Damon
Rannulph Junuh
Will Smith
Bagger Vance
Charlize Theron
Adele Invergordon
Bruce McGill
Walter Hagen
Joel Gretsch
Bobby Jones
J. Michael Moncrief
Hardy Greaves
Peter Gerety
Neskaloosa
Wilbur Fitzgerald
Roy
Lane Smith
Grantland Rice
Jack Lemmon
Narrator (voice)
Carrie Preston
Idalyn Greaves
E. Roger Mitchell
Aaron
Trip Hamilton
Frank Greaves
Michael O'Neill
O.B. Keeler
Harve Presnell
John Invergordon
Dermot Crowley
Dougal McDermott
Bob Penny
Laidlaw
Danny Nelson
McManus
Thomas Jay Ryan
Spec Hammond
Joseph P. Reidy
Photographer
Crew
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