Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

Wimbledon (2004)

Director: Richard Loncraine

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

The poster for ‘Wimbledon’ has Kirsten Dunst brandishing a tennis racket sideways so that at first glance it looks more like a sword: a tacit admission, surely, that tennis is hardly a subject to set the pulse racing? This, however, is Working Title-land, and tennis, of course, is one of those things that Americans like us to do – as well as driving open-top sports cars past the Houses of Parliament, which star tennis player Peter Colt (Paul Bettany) does with surprising regularity in this tale of love across the tennis net.
The game is simple. Two tennis players –Dunst and Bettany – meet over the hallowed lawns of SW19 one summer. Very soon it’s love all; but Dunst’s father/manager (Sam Neill) is quick to pour water on their dalliance, even though Bettany serves up lashings of British charm to woo both Dunst and audiences. In the meantime, both have trophies to fight for: cue tennis scenes that have at least some spark. It’s hardly nail-biting, but the sport works.
Much has been made of the film’s making, but it’s hardly notable verité. Yes, this was actually, really filmed at the gen-u-wine Wimbledon. Yes, the crowds are kosher. Yes, there’s a cameo from John McEnroe. And, no, they didn’t use real balls. They added them later.
All in all, it’s rather pleasant, but nothing else. Dunst and especially Bettany make for good romantic leads (although Bettany flips between Hugh Grant and Michael Caine ). But where are the gags? And it could do without the thinly sketched sub-plots involving Peter Colt’s cheeky younger brother (James McAvoy) and warring Home Counties parents. A fairly charming romantic comedy – minus the comedy.

Author: DC 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out London Issue 1779: September 22-29, 2004


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend

What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields





Top Stories

Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'

Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'

Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him

Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?

Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?

How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains

Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'

Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'

We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon

A gateway to all things 'New Moon'

A gateway to all things 'New Moon'

In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.

London Children's Film Festival

London Children's Film Festival

Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival

The films that deserve a TV spin-off

The films that deserve a TV spin-off

With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’

Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'

Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'

Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations