Great Film: Wimbledon
Wimbledon Serves Love
The sport of tennis serves (no pun intended) as a good background in
Strangers on a Train and Pat and Mike. As the focal point of a full
feature, it has never produced a solid film. Instead, there would be
the occasional lightweight drama like Players (Dean Paul Martin and Ali
McGraw) which fizzled back in 1980. Wimbledon, while a marked
improvement over the former, does nothing to change the status quo.
Primarily a star vehicle for Kirsten Dunst (Spiderman, Bring It On) and
rising star Paul Bettany (Master and Commander, A Beautiful Mind), the
storyline is the stereotypic budding romance between Dunst who is the
up and coming tennis star, and Bettany, the aging midline star who is
trying for one last shot at being champion at Wimbledon. Their romance
blossoms much to the consternation of Dunst's father (Sam Neill) who
fears distractions for his daughter. There are a few subplots involving
Bettany's quarreling parents, his playing partner, and his
opportunistic agent (Jon Favreau). It's not too hard to figure who
might win/lose or where the romance will lead.
Stars Dunst and Bettany are likable and have a nice chemistry but not
much script to work with. There are a few nice lines and situations
piecemealed throughout, but the plot is paper thin and the dialogue is
unimaginative. This was from the people who brought us Notting Hill and
Four Weddings and a Funeral? Ah, look at the credits more closely and
Richard Curtis is missing; not even a Hugh Grant cameo is in sight. Sam
Neill, Bernard Hill, and Eleanor Bron (Remember her from the original
Bedazzled?) are wasted in minor roles. The tennis scenes are somewhat
fun with the stars putting their all in the physical matches, but the
tennis balls are almost too perfect as the special effects become too
obvious.
Bettany is destined for more substantial roles and Dunst won't be hurt
by this lightweight comedy/drama. One could only imagine what they
could have done with a more lively script and complex characters. Sure
it's nice to look at and the stars are a cute couple, but this was a
squandered opportunity.
Cast
- Peter Colt played by Paul Bettany
- Dennis Bradbury played by Sam Neill
- Lizzie Bradbury played by Kirsten Dunst
- Edward Colt played by Bernard Hill
- Dieter Prohl played by Nikolaj Coster-waldau
- Carl Colt played by James Mcavoy
- Monte Carlo Opponent played by Kyle Hyde
