aberystwyth, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 24/09/2017 06:52 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: The story of the rivalry between Tennis players Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe before and during Wimbledon of 1980.

    Tennis has not had a deep history within the film industry. To be honest, there is barely a handful or famous ones, let alone genuinely great Tennis films.
    Probably the most successful one of the lot, is Alfred Hitchcock's 'Strangers On A Train'. While some may think this is more of a thriller than Tennis related, the sport plays a role in the film especially in a super tense scene at the US Open.
    Other mild successes include the surprisingly good Match Point, the fascinating 2013 film documentary 'The Battle Of The Sexes', and a big guilty pleasure of mine, 'Wimbledon'.
    Now in 2017, we have two big releases of Tennis films. That includes a film adaptation of the events of Battle Of The Sexes, which could be a possible Oscar contender.

    The other, is new release 'Borg vs McEnroe' which portrays what people consider to be the greatest final in all of Tennis. As a passionate Tennis myself, I was excited to see how this would play out.
    This particular match was most certainly a pivotal one for the future of the sport.

    When the opening credits were being played, I had no idea that it was a Scandinavian production. What I liked about their production, was that everyone actually spoke their language. There was a lot of Swedish being said, as well as a lot of English.
    As for the rest of the film, I think they did as good of a job as they could have done for a literal adaptation.

    The performances were pretty solid on the whole. Sverrir Gudnason as Bjorn Borg was quite extraordinary. He looks completely identical as the great man himself. It reminded of when Ben Kingsley was cast as Ghandi, or Zachary Quinto as Spock. That role was definitely made for him.
    The choice of casting Shia Labeouf was quite a bold move to play John McEnroe, and it worked rather well. While he might not look like McEnroe, his mannerisms were on point. Stellen Skarsgard as Borg's coach executed his role in this story really well. Playing Borg's girlfriend I first thought was Noomi Rapace. It was actually Tuva Novotny. Her hair style in the film certainly made me think of the famous Swedish actress. As for her performance, this supported well with Gudnason and ended up being fairly integral, especially in the first half.
    I was astonished to find out that Bjorn Borg's actual son Leo played his younger self during the film.

    The technical aspects were not that exceptional, but all were perfectly fine in their execution. It was shot really nice and everything looked of that time period. However, I would have liked the Tennis action to have been shot with more added drama as it felt a bit conventional.

    I only have minor problems with the film, and its a bit of a catch-22 situation. It does some unnecessary over-the-top moments. Also, while it is great at being informative, it can't match in entertainment and intensity, and it's highly predictable. But as its a sports film, it sort of goes with the territory.

    As they were going for a literal adaptation, I think it was always going to be tough to make this a story made for the big screen. So as for someone who already knew the story and the background of the players, I felt they presented it to a satisfactory level.
    I was still interested and gripped with the story as it explored the origins of the two central characters mentality towards the game and their playing style with a good execution.

    It will be interesting to see how people think of the film not knowing the result and history of this event. It would also make a great companion piece to 'Rush' as it has similar tropes to the rivalry in that film.

    It was great for me personally to see another Tennis film, and we still have another one on the way in a couple of months.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Aberystwyth / Wales
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Aberystwyth
Tide Predictions from NTSLF.ORG



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
aberystwythaberystwyth News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
aberystwyth Bathroom Suppliesaberystwyth Bathroom Tapsaberystwyth Bathroom Furnitureaberystwyth Bathroom Showersaberystwyth Shower Enclosuresaberystwyth Bathsaberystwyth L Shaped Bathaberystwyth P Shaped Bathaberystwyth Wet Roomsaberystwyth Bath Screensaberystwyth Bath Mixer Tapaberystwyth Bidet Tapsaberystwyth Toilet Seatsaberystwyth Sanitarywareaberystwyth Combined Toilet Basinaberystwyth Stovesaberystwyth Wood Stovesaberystwyth Home Stovesaberystwyth Cooker Stovesaberystwyth Enamel Stovesaberystwyth Designer Stovesaberystwyth Contemporary Stovesaberystwyth Multi Fuel Stovesaberystwyth Accounts Softwareaberystwyth Sage Softwareaberystwyth Sage Line 50aberystwyth Sage Line 200aberystwyth Pegasus Accountsaberystwyth Access Accountsaberystwyth Car Servicingaberystwyth MOTgaberystwyth Tyresaberystwyth Car Batteryaberystwyth Exhaustaberystwyth Journalist Jobsaberystwyth Reporter Jobsaberystwyth Writing Jobsaberystwyth Freelance Writeraberystwyth Self Employed Jobsaberystwyth Franchise Businessaberystwyth Franchise Opportunitiesaberystwyth Driving Schoolsaberystwyth Driving Lessonsaberystwyth Driving Testaberystwyth Driving Theory Testaberystwyth Driving Instruction, 0000 aberystwyth Driving Instructor, 0000 aberystwyth Insolvencyaberystwyth Insolvency Serviceaberystwyth Insolvency Servicesaberystwyth Liquidation Serviceaberystwyth Business Recoveryaberystwyth Insolvency Practitioneraberystwyth Bankruptcy Serviceaberystwyth Winding Up Petitionaberystwyth Business Financeaberystwyth Business Recoveryaberystwyth Voluntary Arrangementaberystwyth Individual Voluntary Arrangementaberystwyth IVAaberystwyth Debt Adviceaberystwyth Debt Managementaberystwyth Company Administrationaberystwyth Administrationaberystwyth Corporate Recoveryaberystwyth Corporate Voluntary Arrangementaberystwyth CVAaberystwyth Corporate Insolvencyaberystwyth Corporate Liquidationaberystwyth Members Voluntary Liquidationaberystwyth MVLaberystwyth Partnership Voluntary Arrangementaberystwyth PVAaberystwyth Tax Demandaberystwyth Invoice Financeaberystwyth Bridging Financeaberystwyth Vouchersaberystwyth Dealsaberystwyth Matalanaberystwyth Firewoodaberystwyth Fire Woodaberystwyth Kiln Dried Hardwoodaberystwyth Logs For Saleaberystwyth Log Suppliesaberystwyth Logsaberystwyth Firewood Logsaberystwyth Seasoned Logsaberystwyth Hardwood Logsaberystwyth Firewood Suppliersaberystwyth Firewood Log Suppliersaberystwyth Firewood Dumpy Bagsaberystwyth Firewood Cratesaberystwyth Cheap Firewoodaberystwyth Homefire Logsaberystwyth Cheap Firewood Logsaberystwyth Kindle Conesaberystwyth Pizza Oven Logsaberystwyth Heating Oilaberystwyth Home Heating Oilaberystwyth Red Dieselaberystwyth White Dieselaberystwyth Kereseneaberystwyth Commercial Fuelsaberystwyth Calor Gasaberystwyth Propane Gasaberystwyth Butane Gasaberystwyth Heating Gasaberystwyth Horse Trainingaberystwyth Horse Traineraberystwyth Horse Whispereraberystwyth Equine Whispereraberystwyth Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithaberystwyth Rattan Garden Furnitureaberystwyth Rattan Furnitureaberystwyth Rattan Sofaaberystwyth Rattan Dining Setaberystwyth Rattan Directaberystwyth Cheap Rattan Furnitureaberystwyth Rattan Corner Sofasaberystwyth Rattan Day Bedsaberystwyth Rattan Sun Loungersaberystwyth Rattan Cube Setsaberystwyth Rattan Bistro Setsaberystwyth Chimeneasaberystwyth Firepitsaberystwyth Patio Heatersaberystwyth Card Payments Processingaberystwyth Credit Card Processingaberystwyth Merchant Servicesaberystwyth Merchant Accountaberystwyth Merchant Paymentsaberystwyth Card Machinesaberystwyth Card Terminalsaberystwyth Online Paymentsaberystwyth Worldpayaberystwyth Bouncy Castlesaberystwyth Bouncy Castle Hireaberystwyth Garden Trampolinesaberystwyth Pramsaberystwyth Pushchairsaberystwyth Strollersaberystwyth Hauck Pramsaberystwyth Huackaberystwyth Childrens Trampolinesaberystwyth Baby Mobilesaberystwyth Baby Activity Matsaberystwyth Baby Bedroom Furnitureaberystwyth Childrens Bedroom Furnitureaberystwyth Hygiene Vendingaberystwyth Washroom Vendingaberystwyth Air Freshenersaberystwyth Air Careaberystwyth Aerosol Systemsaberystwyth Gel Systemsaberystwyth Water Savingaberystwyth Urinal Water Savingaberystwyth Eco Capsaberystwyth Sensaflushaberystwyth Water Managementaberystwyth Urinal Dosingaberystwyth Urinal V Screensaberystwyth Legionella Risk Assessmentaberystwyth Legionaires Bacterialaberystwyth Odour Controlaberystwyth Odour Eliminationaberystwyth Odour Removalaberystwyth Airsterilaberystwyth Hand Careaberystwyth Hand Creamaberystwyth Hand Soapaberystwyth Hand Washingaberystwyth Hand Dryingaberystwyth Hand Dryersaberystwyth Electric Hand Dryersaberystwyth Fast Hand Dryersaberystwyth Commercial Hand Dryersaberystwyth Energy Efficient Hand Dryersaberystwyth Hand Dryer Rentalaberystwyth Hand Dryer Salesaberystwyth Paper Towelsaberystwyth Roller Towelsaberystwyth Cotton Roller Towelsaberystwyth Blue Roller Towelsaberystwyth White Roller Towelsaberystwyth Janitorial Suppliesaberystwyth Janitorialaberystwyth Cleaning Suppliesaberystwyth Cleaning Productsaberystwyth Cleaning Equipmentaberystwyth Office Cleaningaberystwyth Home Cleaningaberystwyth Debt Recovery Servicesaberystwyth Debt Recoveryaberystwyth Debt Collectionaberystwyth Outsource Credit Controlaberystwyth Collection Agencyaberystwyth Debt Collection Agencyaberystwyth Commercial Canopyaberystwyth Steel Canopyaberystwyth Bike Shedsaberystwyth Bike Storageaberystwyth Bicycle Storeaberystwyth Bicycle Storageaberystwyth Bikes Storeaberystwyth Bike Storeaberystwyth Outdoor Canopyaberystwyth Cycle Sheltersaberystwyth Cycle Shedaberystwyth Cycle Storageaberystwyth Cycle Rackaberystwyth Cycle Compoundaberystwyth Cycle Solutionsaberystwyth Scooter Storageaberystwyth Scooter Shelteraberystwyth Canopiesaberystwyth Canopyaberystwyth Play Area Canopyaberystwyth Entrance Canopiesaberystwyth Entrance Canopyaberystwyth Waiting Shelteraberystwyth Smoking Shelteraberystwyth Parent Waiting Shelteraberystwyth Parent Shelteraberystwyth Teen Shelteraberystwyth Nursery Canopyaberystwyth School Canopyaberystwyth Play Canopyaberystwyth Envirolawnaberystwyth Astroturfaberystwyth Cheap Astroturfaberystwyth Artificial Grassaberystwyth Cheap Artificial Grassaberystwyth Astro Turfaberystwyth Artificial Lawnaberystwyth Fake Grassaberystwyth Fake Lawnaberystwyth Fire Stove Glassaberystwyth Heat Resistant Glassaberystwyth Fire Glassaberystwyth Stove Glassaberystwyth Fire Resistant Glassaberystwyth Replacement Stove Glassaberystwyth Glass For Stovesaberystwyth Spill Kitsaberystwyth Spill Control Kitsaberystwyth Spill Kit Refillsaberystwyth Spill Kit Refill GK6aberystwyth Chemical Spill Kitsaberystwyth Oil Spill Kitsaberystwyth Solar Panelsaberystwyth Solar Panels Costaberystwyth Solar Heatingaberystwyth Solar PVaberystwyth Commercial Solaraberystwyth Photovoltaicaberystwyth Dust Matsaberystwyth Entrance Matsaberystwyth Reception Matsaberystwyth Anti Fatigue Matsaberystwyth Floor Matsaberystwyth Logo Matsaberystwyth Washroom Servicesaberystwyth Principal Washroomsaberystwyth Washrooms Suppliesaberystwyth Washrooms Solutionsaberystwyth Sanitary Disposalaberystwyth Sanitary Binsaberystwyth Sani Binsaberystwyth Lady Binsaberystwyth Feminine Hygiene Unitsaberystwyth Sanitary Waste Disposalaberystwyth Sanitary Wasteaberystwyth Sanitary Unitsaberystwyth Feminine Unitsaberystwyth Hygiene Servicesaberystwyth Sanitary Bin Supplieraberystwyth Sanitary Bin Rentalaberystwyth Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesaberystwyth General Wasteaberystwyth Trade Wasteaberystwyth Commercial Wasteaberystwyth Business Wasteaberystwyth Waste Managementaberystwyth Waste Collectionaberystwyth Cardboard Wasteaberystwyth Paper Wasteaberystwyth Plastic Wasteaberystwyth Glass Wasteaberystwyth Biomass Wasteaberystwyth Metal Wasteaberystwyth Confidential Wasteaberystwyth Confidential Waste Serviceaberystwyth On Site Shreddingaberystwyth Off Site Shreddingaberystwyth One Off Shreddingaberystwyth Contract Shreddingaberystwyth Dental Wasteaberystwyth Dental Waste Disposalaberystwyth Dental Waste Legislationaberystwyth Dental Waste Complianceaberystwyth Accupuncture Wasteaberystwyth Accupuncture Waste Disposalaberystwyth Accupuncture Waste Collectionaberystwyth Tattoo Wasteaberystwyth Tattoo Waste Disposalaberystwyth Sharps Binaberystwyth Sharps Collectionaberystwyth Hazardous Sharpsaberystwyth Non Hazardous Sharpsaberystwyth Cytotoxic Sharpsaberystwyth Cytostatic Sharpsaberystwyth Ink Blockaberystwyth Wet_Wasteaberystwyth Tattoo Inkaberystwyth Drug Destructionaberystwyth Drug Disposalaberystwyth Drug Denaturingaberystwyth Unwanted Drugsaberystwyth Out Of Date Drugsaberystwyth Pest Controlaberystwyth Rodent Controlaberystwyth Bird Controlaberystwyth Bird Proofingaberystwyth Guano Controlaberystwyth Pest Call Outaberystwyth Pest Preventionaberystwyth Pest Deterrentaberystwyth Nursery Wasteaberystwyth Nappy Wasteaberystwyth Nappy Binaberystwyth Nappy Disposalaberystwyth Nappy Wheelie Binaberystwyth Nursery Waste Disposalaberystwyth Nursery Waste Collectionaberystwyth Incontinence Padsaberystwyth Offensive Wasteaberystwyth Human Wasteaberystwyth Nursing Home Wasteaberystwyth Care Home Wasteaberystwyth Hazardous Wasteaberystwyth Infectous Wasteaberystwyth Pharmaceutical Wasteaberystwyth Medicinal Wasteaberystwyth Medicine Wasteaberystwyth Infection Controlaberystwyth Hand Sanitisersaberystwyth Clinical Waste Disposalaberystwyth Clinical Waste Managementaberystwyth Clinical Waste Policyaberystwyth EA Registrationaberystwyth Hammocksaberystwyth Garden Hammocksaberystwyth Adult Hammocksaberystwyth Childrens Hammocksaberystwyth Baby Hammocks