I enjoyed the movie ‘Wimbeldon ‘. If you don’t see it with expectations that are too high, you should too.

This is the story of an underdog. Paul Bettamy plays Peter Colt a veteran British tennis player who feels that he is at the end of his career. He is currently seeded at 119th in the world, and unexpectantly receives a wild card to play Wimbeldon. His hope is that he will get through the first few rounds. On the eve of the tournament he strikes up a friendship with the bad girl of American tennis, Lizzie Bradbury, played by Kirsten Dunst.
Their friendship leads to a romance that inspires Colt to perform at Wimbeldon at a level way beyond his expectations.

There were two main positives to come out of this tennis movie. They were the way the film captured the atmosphere of a big time tennis tournament, and that I enjoyed spending my time with the characters.
The tennis and crowd scenes were well staged. There was a distinctive feeling of being part of the tournament as one got inside the hotel, dressing, and press interview rooms. The cream on the top, and what made it even more authentic, was listening to the tennis commentary team, just as it would be at the supreme tennis event, with John McEnroe, Chris Evert and John Barrett. I do however have to admit to getting a bit peeved with McEnroe’s comments during matches. The smart alec comments were far too typical of the man to be amusing!

The film featured an interesting bunch of characters. Dunst’s character was impish and bratty and suffering from her over protective father, well played by Sam Neill. Bettamy played the nice older statesman of British tennis who has a renaissance.Colt’s best friend was a fellow player on the circuit, Dieter, who was a very sympathetic character. He gave Colt all his support through his ascendancy in the tournament even after he beats him on the way through. Colt’s family gave plenty of colour to the film. His parents were constantly fighting and at the time of Wimbeldon were living separately..that is, his father set up his living quarters in the treehouse, with his main obsession being how to organise a tv to work there to watch Wimbeldon!
Colt’s younger brother was a quirky, punky, disturbed character who was envious of his brother’s success and all through the tournament his favourite routine was to bet against his brother in his latest match.

I guess that’s enough of a preview. I hope that the taste I’ve given you of ‘Wimbeldon’ will make you want to venture out and see it!