The Legend of Bagger Vance
Starring: Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Will Smith
Directed By: Robert Redford

Robert Redford has made a lot of enjoyable movies, for example, The Horse Whisperer and A River Runs Through It. Both dealing with people coming to terms with a dark past and finding their true selves. He doesn't really stretch that much further in The Legend of Bagger Vance, the story of Randolph Junuh (Damon) who is the premier golfer in Savannah, GA, when he is called off to war. When he gets back after the war, he no longer has "his swing." He deserts Adele (Theron) the woman he loves and becomes somewhat of a drunk. When the Depression hits Adele thinks of the perfect way to get people back into the happy spirits: a golf tournament. Junuh begrudgingly agrees, but knows he can't win. Well, he can't win without the help of a mysterious "God-like" caddy, Bagger Vance (Smith). The Legend of Bagger Vance is more entertaining than I thought it would be, although not great. It suffers from a massive amount of predictability and also has that trademark Robert Redford moments. Theron plays the part of Adele well, she seems made for these roles. But Damon and Smith are a little off. It seems as if the character of Damon should have been a little more angry and out of touch and that Bagger should have been just a bit older. It's no surprise in the ending what is going to happen, and the scene that is supposed to be climatic falters, due to it's inability to surprise. It has the same story arc over and over again. Take it for what it is, but The Legend of Bagger Vance is purely Redford entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. C+