This story is like Mary Poppins for adults. In Mary Poppins, a guardian angel in the form of a Nanny with strange mystical powers comes to the aid of two children in need. In Bagger Vance a guardian angel in the form of a Caddie with strange mystical powers comes to the aid of a man in need. The man in need is Rannulph Junuh, played by Matt Damon. Junuh was a local hero in Savannah. He was an excellent golf player but he also seemed confident, able, and up to any task. That's why, when war broke out, everyone in Savannah expected Captain Junuh to easily win whatever battles lay before him. He was expected to leave a local golf hero and return a national war hero. And no one is Savannah believed this more than Junuh himself.

When war turned out to be a lot harder and less forgiving than golf, Junuh found himself the sole survivor from the company he had led. Instead of leading men to victory, he had led them to their deaths. And since he had believed the 'myth' of Capt. Junuh more than anyone else, the disappointment hit him harder than anyone else. He returned home broken in mind and spirit.

His fiancée before the war, Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron), was ignored and abandoned by Junuh upon his return. But being the strong southern belle she was, she did not wallow in self-pity as he was doing. She instead threw herself into supporting her fathers dream, a beautiful country club and golf course on a nearby island in Savannah. This was not to be her only trail. The depression provided no customers for the resort and her fathers suicide left her alone in finding a way to persevere.

Adele gets the idea of hosting a tournament between 2 of the greatest golfers alive, Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill) and Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch). Through a series of events and manipulation from various sources, Capt. Junuh get cajoled into competing as well. But he hasn't golfed in 10 years and still carries the demons of his bad war experience.

Enter Bagger Vance, literally from nowhere. He appears in the night and asks for the job of caddy to Capt. Junuh for the big tournament. But Bagger is not just a caddy, he is a sage with metaphoric advice. It is advice that applies to the game, and to life. He instills hope that Junuh's can overcome his opponents, both on the course, and in his soul. He teaches in the most subtle ways, appearing at times to be just some poor black man in the depression era south, trying to make a few bucks from a golf game. At other times, Solomon would be impressed. But what is he trying to teach? What is his goal? Does he want Junuh to win the match ("It's just a game.")? Does he want Junuh back with his former fiancée ("No sir, it was only a moment ago.")? Does he want to help Junuh slay his demons ("It can't be learned, only remembered.")?

The pace is slow but steady. Just quick enough to keep you interested, just slow enough to maintain that otherworldly atmosphere. Special effects were more than adequate, how hard is it to make a golf ball go into the hole and look like it was a whole in one? The scenery was beautiful, almost to distraction. But the movie is about character. It's the people that make the story and the actors that make you believe.

Will Smith's performance was excellent. His glib remarks and trademark smile let him seem like an effortless fit into the role of mystic in disguise. Charlize Theron outdid herself as the perfect 'steel magnolia'. Her character is incredibly strong willed yet every inch a lady as befits a woman of the south in times of adversity. Newcomer J. Michael Moncrief as Hardy Greaves, Junuh's forecaddie and the person telling the story, did an excellent job. And the older Hardy, narrating the story, was played extremely well by veteran actor Jack Lemmon.

Matt Damon was good as usual but he looked to be in his early 20's before the war. Ten years after the war, when he enters the tournament, he still looks like he's in his early 20's. I guess that's more the makeup departments fault than his but I found it a little distracting. Also, for being the main protagonist, I thought his demons could have been a little better defined. The director never succeeded in making me empathize with Junuh in his despair.

All in all a fine film reflecting on pride, determination, self worth and the dangers of hero-worship. The mystic element is never explained, leaving the viewer free to interpret it with his or her own belief system. He can be God or angel or a force of nature or a reincarnation of Methuselah, it's up to you.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8