The Legend of Bagger Vance

Name: The Legend of Bagger Vance
Genre: Drama, Sport, Romance
Released: November 3, 2000
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Matt Damon, Will Smith

2000

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 75 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 75 Ratings

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The Legend Of Bagger Vance

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: November 3, 2000 | PG-13

Starring: Matt Damon, Will Smith

Summary: Set against the backdrop of a golf tournament in 1930's Georgia, this is the classic joumey of a hero (Damon) who falls into darkness through some disconnect with his soul, and then of his coming back into the light with the help of a spiritual guide (Smith). (DreamWorks)

Director: Robert Redford

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 126 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

It handles a sports movie the way Billie Holiday handled a trashy song, by finding the love and pain beneath the story. Read full review

William Arnold

Despite some engaging performances and good scenes, it's by far the least original, and least accomplished, of the six Redford-directed films. Read full review

Wesley Morris

As entertaining, charming and conceited as other Robert Redford joints, but it's also insufferably obvious. Read full review

Bob Graham

A pleasant myth. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

A lightweight, modestly engaging yarn sporting reductive mystical and philosophical elements that are both valid and borderline silly. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Cody Clark

Without full-bodied characters to play, Smith and Damon are left to get by on their native charm -- something both have in considerable quantity, thankfully. Read full review

Dana Stevens

Not only is it excruciatingly boring -- but its central premises are so banal and dubious as to border on offensiveness. Read full review

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User Reviews

Onjimusha

Mar 26, 2020

Need to rewatch but I love green grass, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah bla

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

incarolina

Dec 16, 2011

almost 10 years later, but Iove this movie.. and agree with Michael P and Dick A.. why aren't movie critics called movie cynics.. It takes something dark, twisted almost abominable for them to give it a thumbs up.. I always know now, that if a critic hates it , i run to see it andalmost 10 years later, but Iove this movie.. and agree with Michael P and Dick A.. why aren't movie critics called movie cynics.. It takes something dark, twisted almost abominable for them to give it a thumbs up.. I always know now, that if a critic hates it , i run to see it and likewise if they love it ... I RUN.. AS pretentious as they are, if the general public understands it and likes it , they only have contempt... I find them ( movie critics) as only in competition with other criitics, it is not popular to "like " a movie, they find that below themselves and I find them contemptible ..… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

aaandaction

Sep 6, 2013

There are few movies that capture such a pure magical feeling with story, performance, cinematography, costuming and music that transcend subject matter, in this case golf, so that one can be mesmerized by the beauty of the story. Some critics have called it predictable, as if they expectedThere are few movies that capture such a pure magical feeling with story, performance, cinematography, costuming and music that transcend subject matter, in this case golf, so that one can be mesmerized by the beauty of the story. Some critics have called it predictable, as if they expected to see a film with disfunctional people or explosive and mind-numbing plot twists. This is a simpe story told with exceptional creativity. Period.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LarryC

Mar 17, 2009

Fantastic cinematography and a great performance from Smith make this mis-understood movie entertaining.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Redbox

Nov 5, 2011

It's a beautifully romantic story based on a Steven Pressfield novel that uses a Depression-era exhibition golf tournament set in the heart if the South to tell the story of how war-scarred onetime hometown idol Rannulph Junuh (Damon) found his golf game again, and in the process, himself.It's a beautifully romantic story based on a Steven Pressfield novel that uses a Depression-era exhibition golf tournament set in the heart if the South to tell the story of how war-scarred onetime hometown idol Rannulph Junuh (Damon) found his golf game again, and in the process, himself. Damon takes alternate turns being likable and frustrating as the promising local gold champ who leaves everything behind, including Adele Invergordon (Theron), the woman who loves him, to go to war only to disappear. But the jewel of the film is Smith's role as Junuh's inflappable caddy, Bagger Dance. Smith displays none of his trademark swagger, instead acting as a mythical advisor who knows the secrets of life but also has the wisdom to know that each man must discover those secrets for himself. J. Michael Moncrief is the adorable young boy who never stops believing in Junuh and the character through whose eyes the story is told. Jack Lemmon provides the narration. Theron is beautiful as always and navigates the tricky role of abandoned fiancee who in spite of waiting for ten long years without any word, never stopped loving her man. Redford's direction is gentle, reverent and steeped in the romance of the South and the game of golf. The cinematography highlights the natural beauty of the greens.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

RayzorMoose

Nov 12, 2013

Robert Redford directs an inspirational creation of patience and precision.
The Legend of Bagger Vance excels with mythic performances from Matt Damon and Charlize Theron.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Jul 29, 2022

This is a charming sports based film set in the 1930s - its less to do with sports science and more to do with changing the way you look at things, at seeing and reacting to things differently and living in the moment, in an age of pre-mindfulness. Yes its quite sentimental in tone, a bitThis is a charming sports based film set in the 1930s - its less to do with sports science and more to do with changing the way you look at things, at seeing and reacting to things differently and living in the moment, in an age of pre-mindfulness. Yes its quite sentimental in tone, a bit too cheesy for some but it has some nice aspects and I thought it has quite an impressive cast, with both Will Smith and Matt Damon in key roles as the main characters.

The music is a bit over the top cheesy in my book but I quite enjoyed following the story - even if you can guess what happens, its still nice to see how things play out. There's some good dialogue present and its somewhat thoughtful, if you think about it. Not a film that will overly appeal to many, this is a fairly decent film if it sounds of interest, so yes I'd recommend it on that basis.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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89	#89 Most Discussed Movie of 2000
94	#94 Most Shared Movie of 2000