When I got up this morning, I spent some time on the links. No, I didn't go golfing - I haven't played a round of 18 in a number of years. No, instead I happened to flip on the television to catch the 2000 film the Legend of Bagger Vance.
The film stars Matt Damon as Rannulph Junuh, a WWI veteran who returns the town of Savanah, GA, after the war. When his former girlfriend (Charlize Theron) enlists him to play in a huge golf tournament with two big names, Junuh finds himself having problems. Enter Bagger Vance (Will Smith) as a mysterious wise-man with much wisdom to give - often in the form of symbolic stories and golfing metaphors. In the end, Junuh needs to find his rhythm to comeback from behind in the tournament and to make amends with the woman he loves.
Now, this film isn't going to excite everyone. There is a lot of golf involved and not everyone finds the game that interesting. Folks either love it or hate it. Still, Robert Redford did a great job directing this film. The feel of the period and the setting in the deep south in the early 1900's is perfect. And seeing those lush shots of the golf course in widescreen, high definition television - that makes it even more beautiful to watch.
