Customer Reviews

Wimbledon [VHS]

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

A bunch of people have said that Wimbledon was 'too predictable.' Well, it's a romantic comedy. Of course it's predictable: boy meets girl, they fall in love, trouble pursues, they get together in the end.

The point of seeing a love story is to see HOW all this happens. Wimbledon does a great job coming up with an original plot (love and tennis) while presenting the story in a way that draws in the audience. You really care about the characters. Kirsten Dunst, especially, creates a wonderful portrayal of Lizzie Bradbury. Lizzie is a very bold, driven, somewhat selfish character, but Dunst makes her lovable. And Bettany (Peter) plays off Dunst's performance incredibly well.

I love this movie. It's incredibly sweet, and funny without the groaning and eye-rolling junk. It is an amazingly well-directed, well-casted, and all around well-done movie that immediately made it to the top of my favorites list.

Peter Colt is a moderately successful tennis star facing the end of his career although he's only 32 years old. All he has to look forward to in life is a job giving tennis lessons to flirtatious middle aged women and fights between his argumentative parents who he still lives with. Then he stumbles into the life of young Lizzie Bradbury, a rising American star on the tennis scene. Lizzie gives him the motivation to shoot for the top, but the only trouble is that she finds any romantic involvement detracts from her own ability to play the game.

This is essentially a romantic comedy, but it is also a story about a meeting between an aging, slightly cynical British man and a motivated, optimistic young woman. It's unique to see a confident woman taking a leadership role in a film of this genre, where traditionally the male lead strong arms the woman into realizing that they are made for each other. Kirsten Dunst plays the role with great vigour even though she has admitted in interviews that she naturally has a shier disposition than that of her character. It's an amusing coincidence that Dunst is routing for a character named Peter again following on from the triumphantly successful Spiderman films. And doubly coincidental that Peter's primary opponent is a character named Jake after the actress' recent sad break up with actor Jake Gyllenhaal. This film's soundtrack features two beautiful songs "Caught in a Moment" and "Sometimes" by the fantastically talented Sugababes. It's to the film's credit that by the end most people in the audience felt sufficient emotional involvement to care who won the big tennis match. Wimbledon is an enjoyable movie that only occasionally goes over the top.

This movie combines all my favorite film features: sports, romantic comedy, and beautiful filmography. The tennis action is sensational, with brilliant camera angles (e.g., viewing a volley from the ball's perspective). The romance is sweet and touching. The English ambience is eternally appealing. And the movie is just plain funny.

I watched it once, and wanted to walk right back in to watch it again. It was quite enjoyable.

For me, there's nothing like a good romantic comedy, and when the story is set in the sports world, my interest level can be counted on to double. This one has a tennis theme, so naturally I checked it out as soon as it became available on DVD.

British journeyman pro Peter Colt, played in a bit of stellar casting by Brit actor Paul Bettany, has never quite made it to the top, and is now resigned to the end of a long career. He's got a wild card for Wimbledon, and plans to announce his retirement after the prestigious tournament ends. When a mistaken room assignment brings him to the suite of American star Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst) - romantic sparks fly as the repartee flows - she behind the frosted shower glass, he bags in hand in the hall. It's all great fun, and we know right away this one's gonna be good.

When in a surprise, Peter wins his first match on court 17, things begin to look up for him. The romance is right on track too, as the two discuss the merits of fooling around on the night before a big match - over fish and chips, no less.

For Peter, fooling around seems to have hurt his game. His second round match is a budding disaster. He's headed for defeat until who should show up but Lizzie to cheer him on. In a stunning turn of events, he plays for her and wins. A streak that continues when in round 3 Peter dispatches his best friend and practice partner Nikolaj (Dieter Prohl) - despite the increasingly evident disapproval of Lizzie's driven father and coach, Dennis (Sam Neill), and the re-appearance of Peter's long absent agent Ron (Jon Favreau).

Meanwhile, Peter's dysfunctional family add really great touches of color. His feuding mother and father (Bernard Hill and Eleanor Bron)have reached the point where his father has moved to the treehouse in the back yard of the mansion, and his younger brother Carl (James McAvoy) provides comic relief as to the disgust of the bookies at the betting shop he bets against his brother("He's been on such a good losing streak.").

All told, Wimbledon is a light-hearted love story with a strong sports angle filled with great one-liners and several nice little plot threads that add up to an outstanding whole. I really loved it. I think it's the best sports-theme film to come along since "For Love of the Game."

Art Tirrell is the author of "The Secret Ever Keeps."
"Simply put...the best underwater scenes I've ever read." - reviewer Meg Westley

Being a fan of British love comedies such as NOTTING HILL and LOVE ACTUALLY, when I saw the trailer for a romantic comedy set at one of my favorite places and tournaments, Wimbledon, I knew I had to see it. I really didn't know what to expect.
From the beginning of the movie, where you are given a great introduction to the tennis aspect, with heads that turn from side to side watching the game to the final match in the movie, I was captivated. As you are introduced to the unlikely Colt who is ranked 119 in the world and to Lizzy Bradbury who is seeded 2 (I think) at Wimbledon, and how they find a love for one another, you are captivated in a combination of a classic love story, and the excitement of the sport of tennis.
Being a tennis player myself, I especially enjoyed the matches in the movie. They were very well filmed, and presented the tournament well. They way they filmed the points that the players played was very well done because it helped you to get more into the matches.
Although sometimes predictable, this movie is a must see, especially for tennis players. Some friends have told me that it is hard to keep track of the score if you don't play tennis, but I think its pretty obvious who is winning when. Overall, this is a movie that I definetly recommend to everyone! Go see it!

WIMBLEDON is a surprisingly fine movie, even if you know very little about tennis (or sports in general). Made in much the same genre as FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL and NOTTING HILL, this is a light, delectable British comedy with just the right amount of soul to make it reach far beyond the accessible laughter. The script is beautifully constructed, the direction by Richard Loncraine is fast paced and as energetic as the sport about which it speaks, and the acting is superb. In brief, an aging (if you call early thirties aging?) tennis pro (Paul Bettany) is trying for his last hurrah at winning the world famous Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. Also in the tournament is an American girl (Kirsten Dunst) who is driven by her father (Sam O'Neill) to win the women's division. These unlikely characters meet, begin an affair, and try not to let the affair disrupt their goals of winning the tournament. The gradual manner in which these two fall in love and the way that change in each of them affects their game is the driver for the story. No, the plot is not heavy, but the tale is populated by a wonderful cast of characters from friends and family of both sides. Paul Bettany truly shines in this role displaying a finely tuned comic talent that has heretofore not been used. The real surprise is how excellent an actress Kirsten Dunst is becoming! The chemistry between the two is magic. This is a feel good movie that is written, directed and acted with aplomb. Very refreshing!

First off, I have to say that I am not a tennis expert. I did not detect an obvious flaw in the main actors' tennis playing. Therefore, I was able to enjoy and respond to the sharp dialogue and charming characters in this film.

If you like romantic comedies, this is a really good one. Paul Bettany is really good and if you are or have ever been an athlete you can identify with his inner dialogue as he is competing. They way it is shot and edited is quick and clean.

The only slight flaw in the film that I noticed was just a few lines between the two main characters that got a little sappy. But then again, I may be more cynical about love than most.

Also, because they is no nudity and they only eluded to sex without fully showing it, it is appropriate for younger teens and pre-teens. (They show them in bed afterward and clothes strewn on the floor but no graphic scenes)

I highly recommend this film as a feel good romantic comedy.

It's hard to define what makes 'Wimbledon' work so well where the vast majority of other romantic comedies are such utter flops. The ending is somewhat predictable, the story follows the same basic line, there's the usual healthy interspersing of sex and jokes. But still, there's something special about this movie that makes it simply a joy to watch.

Certainly, the chemistry between Paul Bettany (as the seasoned tennis pro) and Kirsten Dunst (as the enfant terrible of the game) goes a long way toward what makes 'Wimbledon' so worth watching. Whenever these two are on the screen together, from their first meeting to the final shot of the film, they seem utterly meant to be together. They seem to share a genuine warmth and easy attitude together, never a put-on or an act. Rarely have I seen an on-screen couple that seemed so natural and unforced.

The humor of the film is also of a higher caliber than most similar movies. Always clever and sharp but never overdone, the laughs in the movie are many, and they are also remarkably genuine.

The style of the film, capturing the tempestuous game of tennis both on and off the court, helps a great deal as well. Most romantic comedies don't go the extra mile of capturing their subject so well, but I came away at the end of 'Wimbledon' energized equally by the sportsmanship I'd seen (an illusion remarkably well pulled off for the movie) as I was by the flowering romance essential to the story. From dynamic, 'follow-the-ball' camera shots to timed-exposure and uniquely dramatic angles and editing, I found myself enjoying the film for its technical wizardry as much as the story -- and I didn't even realize until it was over and I watched some of the DVD extras just how much of the film was crafted after the fact!

'Wimbledon' is the sort of movie that you can get caught up in easily. Truly warm, charming, and funny, it's just the sort of pick-me-up movie that can lighten the darkest of spirits, and make you feel good about love and life. And really, what more could you ask?

It's funny how a film, any film, can split the opinion of so many.
Reading the many reviews on Amazon I often wonder if people have actually seen the same movie. However, this film more than any other proves to me that personal taste is completely unpredictable.

I should'nt like this film - I play tennis every week and used to play for the county when younger - and neither leads look like they could actually hit a four year old chipanzee off the court, let alone have a ranking. Admittedly, Paul Bettany's character carries off the ball skills a little better (what is Kirsten Dunst's service action supposed to be doing?), but the chances of him winning any match are fairly slim.

I'm English - a film that focuses and sort of celebrates our complete inablity at producing a tennis champion seems a little like a kick in the b**ls. That he only succeeds because he finds inspiration from an American lass is like grabbing my nipples whilst kicking me in the ba**s.

I live in Wimbledon - just two minutes away from the All England Club, and every year I curse the arrival of thousands of tourists, eagerly clogging up the streets, clutching their ticket to experience what is essentially two people hitting a pressurised rubber ball at each other. The sudden and frequent down pours and extortionate strawberries only seem to increase their enjoyment.

I grew up in Brighton (the seaside town where Peter keeps his flat) - how romantic it all looks, all lovely Victorian lamps and run down tennis courts in prime reality. So where di they hide all the brides-to-be that are found running around town every weekend with a kiss-me-quick hat on and an L plate attached to her back? Cos without them, this isn't the Brighton I know.
Also, the flat that Peter keeps.....Sussex Square. Where Cate Blanchett lives...house and flats going at £2m plus. His furniture maybe IKEA but he hasn't done too badly from his 'playing' to earn enough for that pad.

But the funny thing is. It doesn't matter, any of it. I like this film and I have no idea why. It could be because of all of the things above and that it simply resonates more with me, but this film make me smile and leaves me feeling a little warm inside. Ah, bless.

When I saw the previews, I groaned. Here was another film with Kirsten Dunst as the star, getting all the attention, while everyone else falls at her feet. But this movie is really about Paul Bettany and his not so quiet end to his tennis career at the biggest stage pro tennis has- Wimbledon. Bettany plays Paul, an aging pro who has slipped from the top 15 of the rankings (I was eleventh!) to 119, barely enough to get a wildcard entry into his last tournament. After a quick defeat, he will go be the tennis pro at a local club.

Upon arriving, he is given the key to a gorgeous suite, which he thinks is odd. When he enters the room, he sees Dunst in the shower and quickly leaves. But of course, they will meet again, and even have a fling which becomes love. He seems bolstered by the relationship, but she seems to lose focus on her game.

Oh, that's right. She is a tennis player too. I forgot to mention this at the beginning, because frankly, I can't figure out what the point of having her be a pro tennis player was. She has about 2 scenes where she actually is playing, and while I am no tennis expert, I can tell you without doubt that she has zero game. However, she is not only a pro, she is an American phenom who is appearing in her first Wimbledon. But the movie smartly avoids seeing her on the court much, because she is terrible at tennis. Paul Bettany is better, and looks more like he can play, which is why he gets the lion's share of time on the courts.

Is the ending predictable? Of course. It goes without saying that the ending will be happy on both fronts. It is cute, and watchable, and in the end, it has some charm. I do want to mention, however, that I don't really like the direction PG-13 movies are heading these days. This one has that rating, yet it features the following: A full body silhouette of Dunst in the shower, well lit, several shots of Bettany's behind, naked, and an affair which starts about 10 minutes after the main characters have introduced themselves to each other. They are seen in bed, obviously naked, more than once, and I just can't see the point in showing that to a 13 year old. The movie was just as good without any of that, so why is it there? Just for money I guess, why else?