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In the panorama of ’90s action films, Will Smith’s prolific contributions stand out prominently. However, as the new millennium dawned, Smith opted to diversify his portfolio, integrating more character-focused dramas alongside his action-oriented roles. This strategic pivot came in the wake of the much-publicized flop “Wild Wild West.” While Smith’s performance in dramatic films has often been lauded, there are a few projects, like 2000’s “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” that did not resonate as well with critics or audiences.
DreamWorks Pictures
Helmed by director Robert Redford, “The Legend of Bagger Vance” features Smith as the enigmatic caddy Bagger Vance, who steps in to aid the faltering golfer Rannulph Junuh, played by Matt Damon, in improving his game. The film delicately weaves elements of fantasy into its storyline, though these aspects become apparent before the narrative’s explicit reveal, rendering it more than a simple sports drama.
Renowned film critic Roger Ebert was notably impressed with the film, awarding it a commendable 3.5 out of 4 stars and describing it as “a masterpiece of tact.” However, Ebert’s favorable impression was not widely shared, as the film failed to draw significant audience attention at the time of its release and has largely faded from public memory.
While “The Legend of Bagger Vance” may find its place among the finest golf-themed films, this is partly due to the limited number of movies in this niche. Despite Ebert’s praise, the film was met with muted reception from other critics, as evidenced by its modest 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus points to a weak screenplay, lackluster character development, and dialogue, alongside a narrative that some reviewers felt inadequately addressed racial issues.
The audience score fares slightly better at 65%, yet this figure does not indicate a fervent following for the film. “The Legend of Bagger Vance” also struggled at the box office, a potential consequence of Smith’s waning star power post-“Wild Wild West” and the then-nascent celebrity status of co-stars Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. Additionally, golf films are notoriously challenging to market, with only a few achieving cult status. Even the highest-grossing golf film, “Tin Cup,” managed just $54 million in domestic revenue, according to Guinness. Despite these hurdles, “The Legend of Bagger Vance” can take solace in having been championed by one of cinema’s most esteemed critics.
Ebert was among the few who praised the movie
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“The Legend of Bagger Vance” can be considered one of the best golf movies of all time, but it earns that distinction almost by default since there aren’t dozens upon dozens of golf movies to pick from. Roger Ebert was a big fan, but few other critics were. The movie holds an underwhelming score of 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the unusually wordy critical consensus reading: “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.”
The audience score is higher, but 65% certainly doesn’t suggest a movie with a passionate fanbase. It was also a box office bomb upon release, likely due in part to Will Smith’s diminished star power after “Wild Wild West” and the fact that neither of his main co-stars — Matt Damon and Charlize Theron — were at the point where their names alone could open a movie. On top of all that, a golf movie tends to be a tough sell, with all but a select few being relegated to cult hit status at best. According to Guinness, the highest-grossing golf movie of all time is “Tin Cup” at a mere $54 million domestic gross. “The Legend of Bagger Vance” faced an uphill battle from the start, but at least it can boast a near-perfect rating from one of the most respected film critics of all time.
