"The Legend of Bagger Vance" is about a game played on trimmed, green grass with a small, white ball, lots of holes in the ground, and a large variety of things with which to hit the small, white ball.
This game has interested politicians and other celebrities for some time, almost the entire 20th century, for instance. So, certainly, movies should be made about it. Well, maybe.
Bagger Vance, in this latest entry, is a supernatural caddy, i.e., bagger, get it? (Will Smith), who is sent from heaven above to help hapless, Rannulph Junuh ( Matt Damon) an extraordinary golf talent, until World War 1 leaves him a nervous wreck, a former shell of his old self. With that name, it's surprising he survived childhood, let alone World War 1.
Anyhow, Junuh's ex-girlfriend Adele (Charlize Theron), trying to promote a resort she inherited from her father, organizes a golf exhibition featuring Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, but the tournament needs a local player, as well, and guess who? Director Robert Redford really likes to pile it on, it would seem.
But, all isn't lost. The mysterious Bagger enters the fable. According to one reviewer, "the authentically likeable Will Smith saves the day," and perhaps the movie.
It is written by Jeremy Leven and Richard LaGravenese, and is rated PG-13 for some sexual content.
It starts Thursday at Market Square East.