Wimbledon (2004)

the audience applauded

Nice effects though.

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Best movie ever!

"Wimbledon" is a charming little rom-com that relies more on the actual sport than it does on the romance; maybe that wasn't a bad thing, as the sport of tennis and the grandeur of the Wimbledon grand slam tournament get thrust into the limelight and received some extra exposure via Hollywood. Paul Bettany shows off some super acting talent playing the roll of a posh pro tennis player who is coming towards the end of his career and has dropped to 119 in the world rankings.On the other end of the spectrum we have Kirsten Dunst who's character is just starting out in her career, a girl with big ambitions who has already set her sights on winning Wimbledon, with help from her overbearing father who also manages her career. Sadly the two young leads don't particularly share a vast amount of on screen chemistry and watching them share the screen together felt a little awkward, in a romance film the couple have to appear to really be in love with each other and the viewer shouldn't have to suspend their belief, sadly in "Wimbledon" this wasn't the case. The vast majority of supporting characters seemed to be critically misplaced, none more so than the cameo appearance by British sitcom star, Robert Lindsey, for the life of me I cannot understand why he was cast in this film. The one stand out supporting star was Pete's (Paul Bettany) younger brother Carl, played by a young James McAvoy, his on-screen time was minimal but he added some much needed comic relief, such as the scenes in the bookies when he insists on always betting against his brother in his matches. Not a great film by any means but completely inoffensive nevertheless, a decent enough film to watch if you're bored and happen to come across it on TV, Netflix etc

Paul Bethany steals the show with his charm, wit and dashing smile. His co-star Kirsten Dunst delivers, as always, but will not be remembered for this fairly unremarkable role. The two actors have a surprising chemistry, and appear very relatable. They are average actors; blonde, young and normal, and pull off the athlete status with grace.Though classified as a romantic comedy, the love story between the two tennis players was not what kept me watching. Instead, Wimbledon is driven by Bethany's character Peter, and his last chance at a successful career. Suspense is gradually built, keeping one wondering if Peter can really pull the whole thing off, until one is on the edge of their seat by the end. Though a fairly predictable love story, it works for the film and gives the viewer a secondary story to root for if the tennis is not enough. Neither could stand alone, and thus complement each other and serve the film well. With a perfect balance of sports and love, Wimbledon will keep any viewer enthralled.

Awful is the lowest rating so that's my subject heading, sorry. I am a fan of the Wimbledon event, and there's nothing I'd like better than to see Andy Murray or another Brit win it. And "our hero" in this film is a struggling British tennis player trying to win it.But this movie is dreadful. The lead characters do not have a convincing romantic relationship AT ALL. The female lead does not seem like a real person, and is not developed well. The plot is extremely contrived, predictable, and trite, with a tacked-on ending that is way too glib and phony. Paul Bethany is good looking, and it's fun to see Evert and McEnroe, and that is just about ALL that is good in this movie!

I maybe shouldn't be reviewing this film, as I came in half way through, but if I'd seen it from the start I'd have turned it off.To start with, this is a fantasy-flick. A Brit wins Wimbledon? Oh puleeze! Unfortunately it's on the night we lost to Germany in the World Cup, which doesn't help. This is one of those Britflicks whose production values are designed to appeal to American audiences in the feeble hope that the film will make some money. This rarely comes off. We are a hard hearted unpleasant cynical race who ought to leave schmaltzy sentimentality to the Americans who are expert in it. British films made for British tastes occasionally strike it lucky over there, but in a completely unpredictable fashion. I have no idea whether this one did, but I doubt it.Look at the storyline involving the little ballboy hit on the head. Our Hero shows him a little care and tenderness. How unbritish! In a true Britflick nobody would have cared if he'd been carried off stone dead.This film, like so many we make, falls quite expertly between two stools. If it's on again I'll watch 'The day after tomorrow' instead. A pretty grim load of sentimental unscientific tosh, but it beats this. Or I might dig the garden.