Movie Review:

Wimbledon

Kirsten Dunst was all buff from her rigorous action sequences in Spider-Man 2 but her cute co-star Paul Bettany was a pretty heavy smoker and underestimated just how hard it would be to turn himself into a credible tennis pro. He says, “It was like saying, ‘Yes, I’ve love to play Rudolf Nureyev. Let’s ballet!’” But, he does pull it off.

In Wimbledon, Paul Bettany plays Peter Colt, a pro tennis player who never really reached his true potential. He used to be the 11th ranked player in the world. Now he’s 119th and is resigned to retiring without reaching his dream. He’s agreed to teach rich old ladies at a posh country club and hates the idea but he decides to play one last time at Wimbledon, the apex of tennis competitions.

Peter meets pert and full of ‘tude tennis star Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst) and they get hot and heavy. She thinks that having a new love for every competition makes her game hotter. Their romance is also improving Peter’s game but, whoops, Lizzie starts thinking more about her new hottie than hitting the ball. Lizzie’s controlling manager/dad (Sam Neill) wants Peter to get away from his daughter before her chances are ruined.

Meanwhile, Peter moves up in the ranks and finally has to face his best bud Dieter ((Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and then Lizzie’s ex from last season, a snotty American who is favored to win. Back home, Peter’s parents (Bernard Hill and Eleanor Bron) who were about to divorce, start reuniting over his rise in the competition. Peter’s, lazy bro (James McAvoy), who usually bets against him, even gets behind him. Will Lizzie’s love for Peter help her win or lose and will his love for Lizzie finally help him come out the big winner?

Wimbledon is a pretty stock film as far as plot is concerned and the dialogue, although sparky, isn’t as great as in films by the same filmmakers Notting Hill, for example. However, In his first romantic-comedy leading role, Paul Bettany is way cute and you really start to root for him. Kirsten is fine as Lizzy but her character isn’t as likable.. she’s too self-centered and angry on the court for a lot of the film. A big find is cute Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (whew..what a name) who is hunky enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen whenever he appears.

Side stories of Peter’s family conflict are fun. You get some really good tennis action (although a lot of it is accomplished with CGI tennis balls!) I never got a lot of “heat” between Kirsten and Paul but their romance is cute and cuddly enough to make this a fun date film! Check it out.

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This movie is rated PG-13

Official Movie Web Site - http://www.wimbledonmovie.com/