Movie: The Legend of Bagger Vance

[amedia]

We rented this ages ago, didn't have time to watch it, and dubbed it off onto a couple of tapes (which tells you how long ago it was!). Finally got around to watching it.


I didn't quite know what to expect. This was a fairly leisurely period piece/golf movie/romance with the Mystical Will Smith thrown in for good measure. I think it may have been his first serious movie role, which was why we rented it (we both really like Will Smith), and he was quite good as a cross between Obi-Wan and Master Po.

I know this movie came under fire for exploiting the Magical Negro stereotype, and it was racially problematic in other ways as well - frankly, it seemed to sugar-coat race relations in Georgia in 1930. After we watched it, though, I read in the IMDB trivia section that the names Bagger Vance (Will Smith's character, a mysterious figure working as a caddy) and R. Junuh (the hero he mentors) were supposed to reflect Bhagavan (Krishna, a Hindu god posing as a chariot driver) and Arjuna (the hero he mentors) from the Bhagavad Gita. When I read this out loud, TODS, who has taught the Bhagavad Gita in World Religions, immediately came up with some things that Krishna says that closely parallel Bagger Vance's advice, as well as other close parallels to Taoism and Zen. (TODS is a pretty cool guy to watch a movie with.) So in retrospect, that made me like the movie better.

I also liked Charlize Theron's character, a very determined woman who empowered herself in whatever way she needed to to hold onto her family property in the Depression, sometimes by being firm and direct, sometimes by being seductive or wheedling. Unfortunately her part of the plot was pretty much lost in the shuffle once the movie's focus switched to the golf game. Did she manage to save the resort, her late father's dream that she had made her own? (The publicity that the golf match drew would seem to imply yes, but we don't see it happen.)

Comments

[littlewings04.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Magical Negro movies tend to make me wicked uncomfortable in general. I think I avoided this one for that reason. That, and golf seems like a game made up by old white guys to bore other old white guys to death. The Bhagavad Gita references, however, might make me rethink this choice.

[bulleteyes.livejournal.com]

This movie has such resonance for me. I watched it during a time of great turmoil in my life.

That moment when Bagger has Junuh watch Bobby Jones captures me every time. The way Jones is easily speaking with his friends then he turns toward this game that means so much. He easily moves from cordial companion to a man with increasingly intense focus. Nothing is wasted as every part of him moves fluidly in its symphony of intent. He hits the ball in a manner that bespeaks he knew within himself where it would land. A total sense of purpose is shown in this moment. That it is accompanied with ease of heart makes it a striking example of decent man in his commitment to a goal. While they watch this example of a whole man, Bagger is speaking about the entire process with healing authority straight into the shattered heart of Junuh.

It also has a score by one of the few female writers of film scores, Rachel Portman and it is of rare beauty as well as enhancing and enriching the film without taking from it in any fashion.

[amedia.livejournal.com]

I admired the actor who played Bobby Jones greatly, and the way that he portrayed the character. He seemed so effortlessly centered.

While they watch this example of a whole man, Bagger is speaking about the entire process with healing authority straight into the shattered heart of Junuh.

Beautifully put!

I'm glad you mentioned the score, too; I thought it was lovely without being obtrusive.

[bulleteyes.livejournal.com]

I admired that actor also. His name is Joel Gretsch:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Gretsch

Thank you for the compliment. Means a lot coming from a teacher :)

I try to pay attention when a woman is breaking into a male dominated artistic arena. Rachel Portman has composed some excellent scores and won an academy award for her composition for the film, "Chocolat".

Aside from her film scores being excellent she also composes beautiful music. A film score by nature needs to weave into and uphold a film. Beautiful music is not always what is needed. A composer who is able to write a good film score *and* make it beautiful is all the more prized.