Despite a rather predictable plot, "Wimbledon" serves up a feel-good love story with universal appeal. For those moviegoers looking for a well-done romantic comedy, a much-needed movie centered on the game of tennis or who just want to see Kirsten Dunst in a tennis skirt, "Wimbledon" provides all three and more.
Overlooking corny dialogue as well as the movie's somewhat foreseeable romantic comedy format, the movie illustrates two main points concerning love. First, love can do anything, including propel a washed-up tennis star back into stardom, and secondly, love is the most important thing in life, even more important than Wimbledon. So, "Wimbledon" attests to the universal power of love.
Director Richard Loncraine portrays the story of Peter Colt (Paul Bettany), a washed-up, 30-something, British, tennis professional on the verge of retirement. Playing in the last tournament of his career, Colt meets fiery newcomer Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst) at Wimbledon. The two immediately hit it off, despite objections by Lizzie's overbearing Father and coach, Dennis Bradbury (Sam Neil).
What begins as a secret and simple fling quickly becomes a hot love story accompanied by frenzied media attention. Whereas Peter's newfound love leads to a resurrection in his tennis game at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Lizzie becomes distracted and must decide whether love is more important than winning a grand-slam championship.
Bettany and Dunst have successful on-screen chemistry here, but Bettany shines through as the star of "Wimbledon." Most remembered for his recent role in "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," "Wimbledon" provides Bettany with a breakthrough performance. Especially funny are his interior monologues while he plays tennis. Loncraine gives the viewer a humorous insight as to what might go on inside the mind of a professional tennis player.
The director also employs various, innovative camera angles and techniques that are very atypical to romantic comedies. Such zoom and pan shots are more common to the action movie genre. However, these techniques bring a much-needed, new dimension to romantic comedies. Loncraine makes the game of tennis feel fast and intense with his use of the camera, as well as with very effective sound effects. The sharp sound of a tennis racquet smacking the tennis ball accompanied by the close-up of the tennis ball being struck is very effective.
Loncraine portrays tennis as both interesting and engaging, which carries over into the entire movie. As a result, there is a fast-paced, lively feel to "Wimbledon" that is not evident in a typical movie of this genre.
Another effective tool that Loncraine uses is scenery and setting. The viewer feels as though he or she is actually in England with scenic, sky shots of such London tourist attractions as Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral. In addition, there are beautiful scenes of the British countryside, as well as the seaside beaches of Brighton. This use of setting enhances the viewer's pleasure while watching the movie.
A major drawback of the movie is its foreseeable plot. Two unthinkable people end up falling for each other. Various obstacles and hindrances persist, but in the end, love conquers all. In addition, there is the typical cheesy dialogue that one often finds in romantic comedies. For example, at one point in the movie, Peter says, "I thought I was alone in the love department" and he is quickly answered by Lizzie, "You've got some company." Such discourse can be expected in such a movie and some might even find this romantic. Therefore, "Wimbledon" does somewhat conform to the romantic comedy genre. But, if one can manage to get over these two unavoidable aspects of the romantic comedy, the movie is quite enjoyable.
Overall, "Wimbledon" is a movie worth seeing in the movie theater. Yes, it is a very good date movie. And yes, there are probably going to be more women than men in the movie theater. On the other hand, guys should not be afraid to go see this movie. Bettany's humorous acting, as well as the innovative directing, keeps the viewer engaged throughout the entire movie. This allows the viewer to forget that he or she is watching a typical romantic comedy. So for humorous love story fans, tennis fans and Kirsten Dunst fans, "Wimbledon" serves up just the right recipe.
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