This movie is adapted from the Steven Pressfield's novel, "The Legend of Bagger Vance," in which the author discusses the metaphysics of Bhagavad-Gita in a golf game setting. The conversation is supposed to be between the war-veteran and a golf champion, R. Junah (named to rhyme with Arjuna) and his caddie Bagger Vance (similar to Bhagavan). In this story, Vance explains the game of golf as a metaphor for the soul's search for its true identity: The search for the "authentic golf swing" and the search for the true meaning of life. Junah's feeling of guilt (after witnessing death and destruction in the WWI), the futility of life and Vance's words of encouragement during the game are reminiscent of the teachings of Gita.
In the movie, Rannulph Junah (Matt Damon) is asked to play a game of golf with golf-legends Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones in Savannah, GA. Initially he refuses saying that in a world torn apart by conflict, competition to win a game is fruitless. When Vance (Will Smith) offers to be his caddie, he agrees, and during the game, Vance asks Junah a series of questions about his identity intended to promote Juanh's realization of true Self. Vance proclaims his mission is to teach the three paths; action, knowledge, and devotion. For author Pressfield, this story is a contemporary version of Gita, and director Robert Redford was drawn to the mystical dimension portrayed in a golf game and its human experience. The special effects of the movie convey the appreciation of nature and oneness of existence to echo the sentiment of Gita. There are few instances where Gita's message is reminiscent, when Junah rebukes a young boy for being ashamed that his father sweeps the streets, stressing the honor and integrity of his profession. At another instance, Vance corrects Junah that the soul is not dead when the body perishes. During the game, Junah states that an "eagle" on this hole will finish the game, but Vance nods disapprovingly, if you do not" perfect the swing," meaning to indicate, you loose, and the cycle of life and death continues.
For someone who is not familiar with the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita or Pressfield's novel, they miss the entire metaphysics of the movie, since a significant part of the movie dwells in the love life of Junah and his girlfriend Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron). Junah goes on a journey of temptations that is not in the book, but developed for the screen. Having tackled baseball in the movie, "The Natural," Robert Redford admits during an interview that golf is used in this movie as a metaphor. Redford states that he liked the story of a frustrated and dejected golfer who lost his swing must find an "authentic swing," to get back into the game. This is the same as losing a connection to your soul, losing your rhythm or a stride in life. Golf is the appropriate since it's about a struggle against self. You've got a club, a ball and nature; the greens, the fairways, the wind and light, and the precision and competence and centeredness it takes to have your swing. The film is narrated by Jack Lemmon who also makes a brief appearance as a veteran golf player. As expected, both Matt Damon and Will Smith offer splendid performances and Charlize Theron dazzles as the wealthy girlfriend of Junah.
In the movie, Rannulph Junah (Matt Damon) is asked to play a game of golf with golf-legends Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones in Savannah, GA. Initially he refuses saying that in a world torn apart by conflict, competition to win a game is fruitless. When Vance (Will Smith) offers to be his caddie, he agrees, and during the game, Vance asks Junah a series of questions about his identity intended to promote Juanh's realization of true Self. Vance proclaims his mission is to teach the three paths; action, knowledge, and devotion. For author Pressfield, this story is a contemporary version of Gita, and director Robert Redford was drawn to the mystical dimension portrayed in a golf game and its human experience. The special effects of the movie convey the appreciation of nature and oneness of existence to echo the sentiment of Gita. There are few instances where Gita's message is reminiscent, when Junah rebukes a young boy for being ashamed that his father sweeps the streets, stressing the honor and integrity of his profession. At another instance, Vance corrects Junah that the soul is not dead when the body perishes. During the game, Junah states that an "eagle" on this hole will finish the game, but Vance nods disapprovingly, if you do not" perfect the swing," meaning to indicate, you loose, and the cycle of life and death continues.
For someone who is not familiar with the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita or Pressfield's novel, they miss the entire metaphysics of the movie, since a significant part of the movie dwells in the love life of Junah and his girlfriend Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron). Junah goes on a journey of temptations that is not in the book, but developed for the screen. Having tackled baseball in the movie, "The Natural," Robert Redford admits during an interview that golf is used in this movie as a metaphor. Redford states that he liked the story of a frustrated and dejected golfer who lost his swing must find an "authentic swing," to get back into the game. This is the same as losing a connection to your soul, losing your rhythm or a stride in life. Golf is the appropriate since it's about a struggle against self. You've got a club, a ball and nature; the greens, the fairways, the wind and light, and the precision and competence and centeredness it takes to have your swing. The film is narrated by Jack Lemmon who also makes a brief appearance as a veteran golf player. As expected, both Matt Damon and Will Smith offer splendid performances and Charlize Theron dazzles as the wealthy girlfriend of Junah.
Reference: The Legend of Bagger Vance DVD Starring Will Smith and Matt Damon
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