It gets a bit frustrating with every Rachel Portman having to say that the score is nothing new, but in fairness Portman doesn't seem either willing or able to divert from her seemingly set in stone modus operandi. Admittedly, she always writes something that is nothing less than utterly charming and attractive and with The Legend of Bagger Vance we have a score that is, unsurprisingly, extremely attractive and charming from start to finish.
The main theme is introduced in the title track, a warm trumpet melody backed by a chugging string line that seems distantly familiar. It's great when actually you're actually listening to it, but in a line up of half a dozen similar themes such as Goldsmith's seemingly iconic Rudy or Poledouris' recent Kimberly, you'd be hard pressed to pick it out as a stronger entry. So chugs away the rest of the score; plenty of clarinet or trumpet solos all warmly ensconsed in a backing of violins and/or piano, all gorgeous, all vaguely familiar.
I don't really want to drown under a deluge of complaints of unfair treatment. As I say, as a listening experience, this is enjoyable fluff. The album is perhaps a fraction long in places, but pour enough charm into a score and it can usually keep you listening until the end. The few jazzy source cues are programmed at the beginning and end so won't disrupt the gentle ebb and flow of Portman's music which may or may not be a good thing depending on how soporific you find the album. For Portman fans, another one to extend the collection, for anyone a little more skeptical, then there are probably better Portman efforts out there.
Rating ~ Total Time ~ 47:48
Fats Waller
Duke Ellington