Click to read the article
The Legend of Bagger Vance (1999)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:127
Fresh:54
Rotten:73
Average Rating:5.2/10
Consensus: Despite the talent involved in The Legend of Bagger Vance, performances are hindered by an inadequate screenplay full of flat characters and bad dialogue. Also, not much happens, and some critics are offended by how the film glosses over issues of racism.
Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE, based on the book of the same title by Steve Pressfield, uses golf as the basis for this spiritual tale of friendship, self-discovery, and faith. His incredible prowess... THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE, based on the book of the same title by Steve Pressfield, uses golf as the basis for this spiritual tale of friendship, self-discovery, and faith. His incredible prowess at the game of golf makes young Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) the pride of Savannah, Georgia in 1916. When Junuh enlists and is sent overseas to fight in World War I, the reality of war proves too much for him. Rather than return to Savannah a broken man, he simply disappears, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, feisty socialite Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron). When Junuh finally does return to Savannah in 1931, he is coerced into representing his hometown in a golf tournament against legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. But Junuh has lost his swing, and only begins to find it again with the help of Bagger Vance (Will Smith), a mysterious drifter who appears out of the night and offers his services as a caddy. Ultimately, Vance is a spiritual force, teaching Junuh not only about the game, but also about life in this beautifully filmed work directed by Robert Redford (ORDINARY PEOPLE, THE HORSE WHISPERER). Jack Lemmon narrates and makes a brief appearance in the film. [More]
Starring: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Dermot Crowley
Starring: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Dermot Crowley, Joel Gretsch, Jack Lemmon, Bruce McGill, Karen Moncrieff, Danny Nelson, Michael O'Neill, Harve Presnell, Carrie Preston, Thomas Jay Ryan, Lane Smith
Director: Robert Redford
Director: Robert Redford
Screenwriter: Richard LaGravenese, Jeremy Leven
Producer: Jake Eberts, Robert Redford, Michael Nozik
Composer: Rachel Portman
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
Reviews for The Legend of Bagger Vance
Uplifting feel-good drama from director Robert Redford - chock-full of flaws and easy to criticize, but nonetheless enjoyable.
A thoroughly watchable fable about life, the universe and everything.
Accepting the zen of golf is easy. It's The Legend of Bagger Vance and a callow Will Smith as a mystical golf guru that's hard to swallow.
Instead of taking on a life of its own, Redford's film reminds you of ones you've seen before. Legends deserve better.
Eastern theology suffers the same fate as Western theology in today's Hollywood, which gave God a minimal role in The Prince of Egypt.
... most decidedly a fantasy, and the rules for fantasy are that the controlling intelligence behind the fantasy gets to change the rules at any time
Robert Redford's beguiling drama reminds us even the most hopeless causes can be turned around through the power of positive thinking and perserverance, if we're willing to embrace the possibility of success instead of the probability of failure.
Latest News for The Legend of Bagger Vance
April 04, 2007:
Will Smith is the New King of Hollywood
A few years back the heaviest Hollywood hitters (actor-wise) were Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, and Mel Gibson. Nowadays it's guys called Ben Stiller and Johnny Depp -- both of whom... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| 43% 43% | The Proposal |
| 26% 26% | Land of the Lost |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 67% 67% | The Merry Gentleman |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Legend of Bagger Vance at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Legend of Bagger Vance at IGN
- The Legend of Bagger Vance at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

