I'm sure this has probably been asked before, but was he supposed to be supernatural or just a smart guy trying to get 5 bucks?
SSDD-Same *beep* different day.
Read some previous threads on this board, and you will find several interpretations and viewpoints on Bagger Vance.
shareThe movie is based on the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu holy work. Arjuna (the name of the lead character in the Gita) is R. Junnah in the movie and Krishna (a manifestation of God in the Gita) is Bagger in the movie. Yes, Bagger is the godhead, or, in the mystical traditional ascribed to by the author, Bagger is the divinity within Junnah.
shareWow! I completely missed the allusion to the Gita. Thanks for that - it solidifies my understanding of the movie another notch or two. Are you aware of any other films that reference Hinduism?
shareI don't know if it was deliberate or not by the filmmakers but I think "The Matrix" and the original Star Wars trilogy do borrow aspects of Hindu philosophy.
shareHe's supposed to be Krishna and Junuh is supposed to be Arjuna (Hindu sacred text, the Bhagavad Gita has these characters)
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Have fun. Play loud. Live free. Die proud.
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Robert Redford didn't do any of What you just said. He made a film out of the book the legend of bagger vance which is a fairly literal interpretation of the bhagvad Gita and a really awesome book by the way.
http://www.fusioncash.net/?ref=natethegreat1719
I've explained the Gita roots of this movie to friends.
Some completely deny the connection. I suppose because if they didn't know it then there obviously wasn't any connection.
To me, even the weird names of the characters are strong indicators that its not just a golf story.
Yes- Bagger is "supernatural" in that he was basically an angel who could either predict stormy weather coming or cause it to happen. He knew all about Junnah etc. He was also waiting for Hardy when he died just as he probably waited for Junnah when died though we didn't see that part. He helps Junnah see his life the way it is and helps him "get it together" in relation not only to his swing but his "swing of life" and love. I see him basically as an angel from Heaven more than the "Magical Negro" people keep mentioning which I think is kind of silly.
shareHe could be both. Humanity originated in Africa. If God truly made man in His image, God (and the angels) would appear African.
shareConsidering he shows up to greet an old Hardy should point this out.
share