Father Geek here with a report on the NRG test screening of Robert Redford's new flick LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE...
I just saw a NRG run screening of Robert Redford's new golf comedy "Legend Of Bagger Vance" at the AMC 14 in Saratoga, Ca. I say comedy because even though LVB was meant as a feel-good mystical sports drama. That part was the least satisfying part of the film.
When I arrived at the theatre the Movieview people passed out a card stating that the undersigned would not review the movie on any websites.
So when I got home, the first thing I did was fire up the ol' PC and start the reviewing.
Let me preface this with a simple admission: I don't like Will Smith or Matt Damon much. I don't like that wisecracking, "I'm SOOOOOOO Funny" thing Will does in every film.
But remarkably, Smith's very understated and shall I say dare good in the role of the mystical Bagger Vance. Damon is also excellent in the role of Rannulph Junuh. But the two people who stole the film for me were Charlize Theron as Damon's girl Adele and Bruce McGill as Walter Hagen. McGill might be better remembered as D-Day from Animal House.
Theron was hilarious. I don't know how authentic her Southern accent is but she did a bang up job as a strong out there Southern Belle. McGill might be better remembered as D-Day from Animal House. He did a good job with a supporting part of one of the golfers Damon competes against.
Now, to the whole mystical sports part of the movie. I say mystical, because this is one of those films where sports are portrayed as a metaphor for life. The mystical bent of the whole Bagger Vance character gives the movie a "Touched By An Angel" type of feeling
"Field Of Dreams", "The Natural", and other films had a similar feel to this movie. It's not new territory, but the rambling depression comedy aspect was entertaining. Since it was only a workprint, the film could use tightening. Simple editing will no doubt take care of that.
The only major complaint I had was for a sequence set during WWI. The use of quick cuts took away any sense of horror the scenes were meant to incite. With some good editing, the film looks like it might be a smash.
If this review is useful. Go ahead and call me...
Jack-of-no-trades.
