Customer Reviews
Based on the Bhagavad Gita - By: Jay, 20 May 2007 
This film was based on a novel by Steven Pressfield but the real inspiration was from the Hindu Epic The Mahabaharata where there is an interesting conversation that leads to the holiest of Hindu Scriptures known as the Bhagavad Gita. Will Smith as Bagger Vance (pronounced in an Indian way as Bhagawan; another name for Krishna) is brilliant & is ably supported by Matt Damon as R. Junuh (alternatively pronounced as Arjuna). The story shows Smith as a caddy & also spiritual guide to Damon...as in the Bhagavad Gita.
A nice, tender film at the hand of writer/director Robert Redford. Matt Damon is the leading man in this film as a former golfer that brushes up on his talents of the past, whilst Will Smith plays a supporting guardian angel type of character which he carries off beautifully. It seems that at this stage in his career, he is better as a supporting actor (as in 'Made in America', 'Six Degrees of Separation' & 'Enemy of the State'), & needs to learn from his more experienced contemporaries like Matt Damon how to maintain audience interest throughout a film. Smith plays a convincing aged character by the name of 'Bagger Vance' who aids Damon in the process of regaining his confidence to win a golf tournament. It is almost a guest appearance in a self contained film which neither belongs to Matt Damon or Robert Redford. It is a film that stands by itself.
Misunderstood by all - By: C. Spalding, 26 Feb 2007 This is not a film about golf or caddies or anything that it initiallly seems. It is about life & and Hindu philosophy. Bagger Vance in based on the Sanskrit text from the Mahabharata callled the Bhagavad Gita. This story is a discussion of Hindu philosophy between the god Krishna (here Bagger Vance played by Will Smith) & Arjuna (here the character R. Juner played by Matt Damon). The Bhagavad Gita begins before the start of the climactic battle at Kurukshetra & Bagger Vance starts before the battle between two of the greatest golfing gods of their day Ben Hogan & Bobby Jones. Despite the potentiallly deep philosophical meanings of the film, the screenplay is well adapted & provides great cinematography & a good story. Bear with it & you will be rewarded with a great film about life (and a bit about golf too).
An Emotional Void!!! - By: nmollo, 10 Apr 2006 
Where "Seabiscuit" marked the return of the intelligent & artistic sports picture, "Legend Of Bagger Vance" directed by Robert Redford does not.
This is a very confused Motion Picture. The first reel is taken up with short expletory scenes & flashbacks alll ending with the familiar fade to black. This constant use of the fade out halted any narrative & kept the film firmly in the stallls for what seemed an age.
It is impossible to cut around a poor leading performance as you might do a bad piece of Production Design. The young boy at the heart of the film transmitted none of the emotion or crisis he supposed to be was facing. He couldn't do this because he was a bad actor & being badly directed.
Matt Damon & Charlize Theron had no sexual chemistry. Not for one moment did I believe that they were in love or ever had been. Matt Damon was also mis-cast. Joel Gretsch seemed the more likely casting choice for the lead. As for Will Smith, his underwritten part & performance can only be described as poor.
Redford's direction as a whole was terrible. Why talk about the horrors of war & then recreate them in such an amateurish way? Why do we need 5 shots of Will Smith walking & dancing into the sunset?
The music by Rachel Portman seemed to be a reworking of her "The Joy Luck Club" score & was awash with syrupy strings & tinkling piano. Her unsubtle music pointed directly at how the audience "should" feel at each scene & so as usual with alll her uninspired scores the music became a dirge of sentimentality & confusion.
On the extras Redford explains that he is an ecologist & this film had interested him because it was about nature. Does Redford not know that golf courses are responsible for untold damage to wild life & nature preserves? Golf is not eco-friendly, Robert!
The Legend of Bagger Vance - By: Rudi D. Dickstein, 06 Oct 2005 It truly is a legend in the newspapers. Based on the book by Steve Pressfields, this golfing movie is a true masterpiece. Directed by Robert Redford (Horse Whisperer, A River Runs through It) starring Matt Damon & Will Smith, Matt Damon is the confused pro golfer who lost his swing after the 1st world was & Will Smith is the understanding caddie who helps Damon get a better grip on life. Damon is invited to play in a golf competition & to stand up for his state. His talent wearies with his mood & thoughts. He starts off rusty & asks Smith for advice & help, & he ends up not only finding about golf, but about life, friendship & relationships.
This is the kind of movie that everyone should have in their movie collection.
Genre: Drama
Length: 2 hours & 7 minutes
Released: 2000
Rating: PG-13
"It's just you,the ball and the hole." - By: Mr D Rogers, 27 Mar 2004 this has got to be one of the greatest sporting films ever made!will smith as bagger vance gives the performance of his life!jack lemmon narrating gives it that extra special feeling to it & matt damon is quite superb!WELL DONE
