Search - Wimbledon on DVD

Best Sports-themed Romantic Comedy in ages

Art Tirrell - "The Vitaman Effect" | upstate ny | 05/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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
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A Good Lighthearted British Comedy

Anonymous Reviewer | 10/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"