‘Vance’ Sumptuously Empty

Mon., Nov. 13, 2000

Brian Formo, North Idaho Colleg

“The Legend of Bagger Vance” Rated PG-13

Robert Redford’s films always look gorgeous, and his latest, “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” is no exception.

But for all the sumptuous Southern opulence, silky fairways and divine sunsets, the center is vaguely empty.

Matt Damon stars as Rannulph Junuh, a golf phenomenon from Savannah, Ga., whose service in World War I transformed him into an indignant drunk.

The film offers one brief flashback on his wartime experience and nothing more. With this insufficient evidence, we must accept Junuh’s rejection of society, golf and his fiancee Adele (Charlize Theron) without ever understanding the weight of Junuh’s unbearable predicament.

This major folly of the film is swept through the cracks as a meager setup for a golf exhibition tournament arranged by Adele to save her father’s resort from bankruptcy. The Southern belle entices heavyweight golf pros Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill) to participate, then later coaxes Junuh to represent Savannah in the tournament. But first he needs to untangle the spiritual knots that are hurting his game, and for this purpose alone a caddie named Bagger Vance (Will Smith), literally, strolls into his life.

With cardboard characters, the trio of stars must rely on their novel charm which, luckily, they all have in spades. Damon flashes appealing candor, and Theron’s smile illuminates the screen while her eyes seem vacant due to the loss of Junuh. Smith slings together remedial sermons when called upon, but his character is never given anything more to do than spout spiritual bunkum.

For Redford, the film presents the allegory that playing a game of golf is the equivalent of navigating your life: steering your ball clear of sand traps and water to get to the hole or your goal. The effect of this lavishly produced, finely acted but terribly underwritten film lies in your affection for golf. To me, it’s just a game.

Grade: C+

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