THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE


US, 2001, 135 minutes, Colour.
Matt Damon, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, J. Michael Moncrieff, Bruce Mc Gill, Joel Gretsch, Lane Smith, Presnell, Jack Lemmon.
Directed by Robert Redford.

Rannulph Junuh is the golden boy of golf, winning all the tournaments in the South by the age of 16. He is in love with Adele Invergordon, daughter of a Savannah businessman. Junuh volunteers to go to fight in World War I, he leaves for Europe in a blaze of glory. His combat experiences so traumatise him so much that he loses his self-confidence and his golf swing. When he finally arrives back in Savannah after an absence of ten years, he spends his time drinking and playing cards with his black friends.

John Invergordon has built the most luxurious golf course in Georgia. After his suicide at the onset of the Depression, creditors demand compensation from Adele. She impulsively promises to host a golf championship. With her charm, she manipulates two champions into participating. When the townspeople complain that there is no Savannah contestant, young Hardy Greaves, an admirer of Junuh, suggests Junuh play and tries to persuade him to enter the competition. He finally consents.

Bagger Smith, a vagrant, bets Junuh that he can win. Bagger offers to be Junuh's caddy. Gradually, he enables Junuh to face his demons, acknowledge his love for Adele, and train hard for the tournament.

Junuh plays erratically but relies on Bagger's wisdom and the support of Hardy. As victory seems a real possibility, Junuh regains his swing, his self-esteem and self-confidence. Bagger moves on, leaving Junuh to win on his own.

Golf is not a sport that lends itself readily to screen drama. While there have been biographies of champions like Ben Hogan (Follow the Sun, 1951) or comedies like Caddyshack, the major golf movie is Ron Shelton's The Tin Cup (1995) with Kevin Costner.

Robert Redford's movie enables its audience to follow the golf tournament closely and clearly. Redford, however, is more interested in golf as a symbol. The movie is a 'legend'. As with fly-fishing in A River Runs Through It, golf is used as an analogy of the human struggle and the human spirit.

Rannulph Junuh, played by Matt Damon, is a hero, a young sports champion, a decorated soldier. Disillusioned by the horrors of war, he has lost his nerve and abandoned any effort to regain his life. America, by the 1930s and the Depression, had also lost its nerve. Junuh discovers that he is not alone. Adele (Charlize Theron) still loves him though desperately hurt by his neglect. Hardy Greaves offers him the support of genuine hero-worship. Bagger Vance turns unexpectedly to be his mentor.

Perhaps this is where the movie is implausible. Not in its presentation of Bagger Vance as a guardian angel who guides Junuh in his struggles and leads him to rehabilitation, but that Bagger is played by Will Smith. Smith gives a pleasingly restrained performance. Would a black American, however, be allowed near a golf course in Georgia in the 1930s? Redford is an idealist, a deeply humane director, a man of hope.
Ranulph Junuh is an 'Everyman' figure: heroic American hopeful and golf champion; victim of the injustice of grim warfare in the trenches. Savannah is his Emaus and he returns, shattered, unable to see any hopeful possibilities for his life after his Calvary. He is incapable of rising to new life.

He is joined on his journey by the mysterious Bagger Vance. Bagger Vance is a genial stranger, a modest caddy, a catalyst for Junuh to become more aware of himself, to regain his golf swing (which was his life), to reawaken his love for Adele. And, when Junuh has recovered his life, Bagger Vance disappears to accompany others on their journeys.

1. A golf film? The popularity of golf films? The select audience?

2. The Savannah settings, costumes and decor of the period? The early 20th century? The 20s and 30s? The musical score?

3. The golf sequences, play, practice, the detail for golfers, caddies, gear, the followers, the media?

4. The framework, Hardy and his playing, an elderly man, his voice-over, collapse, his memories? Jack Lemmon in the role?

5. The period, World War I, life in the south, Hardy and his father in the shop, watching the golfers, hitting the ball and running? His story?

6. Rannulph Junuh's success: in golf, in Savannah society, with Adele? Going off to war in a blaze of glory? The bitterness of trench warfare and death? His loss of nerve, finally returning home but avoiding any involvement with golf and with old friends?

7. The building of the golf course, the wealthy man, Adele supporting her father? The depression, the headlines, the suicide? The councillors of the town, creditors? Adele, staunch, her idea, interviewing Hagan, interviewing Bobby Jones? Their reputations? The possibility of a golf match during the Depression? Hoping that tourists would come? Adele and the financial risk?

8. The local meeting, Adele and her appeal, Hardy and his offering to find Ranulph? Going out, the drinking, the cards, Hardy and his appeal? Adele, arrival, the sexual attraction? Ranulph thinking it over, the decision?

9. The press conference, the crowds, the two players, their appeal, yet the local hype? The crowds and the media?

10. The casual arrival of Bagger Vance, his genial company, his work as caddy and coach, his being a catalyst for Junuh's recovery? His leaving before the victory? His friendship with Hardy, encouraging him to be the caddy? Bagger as a guiding angel?

11. The golf tournament and what it meant to Junuh: for his self-respect, his swing, the support of Hardy and Bagger, the people? The personalities of Hagan, his being a flirt, the details of his game, the difficulties? The contrast with Bobby Jones, his reputation, lawyer and family, genial, his last game, yet wanting to win? The ups and downs of the game? The final tension, Ranulph and his favours, being encouraged by Bagger to shoot through the trees, ultimate victory?

12. The joy of the win, Ranulph and Adele? The morale boost to the south, to Savannah?

13. The interesting issue of Will Smith as Bagger Vance, and the role of African- Americans in Savannah during this time?

14. The return to Hardy, the adult, his story and the joy of reminiscence? And the praise of golf?