Hanging Out the Bright Tennis Linens

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

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NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

If not for the genius of British wit, Hollywood’s supply of romantic comedies would languish somewhere between south of “Miss Congeniality” and north of “Gigli.” But fortunately (for the sentimental among us), the masters of the mother tongue are around to create gems like “Wimbledon.” From Working Title Films – makers of “Notting Hill,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary” – comes this charming, cheerful film that mixes romance, tennis, and snappy one-liners.


At the center of the plot is the all-American, unself-conscious beauty Kirsten Dunst. Who very badly needs a new acting coach. Ms. Dunst plays Lizzie Bradbury, a brash American tennis player at the top of her game. Paul Bettany (“A Knights Tale”) is Peter Colt, a well-off Brit who was once ranked 11th,but is now more like 115th. He enters his last Wimbledon, knowing that soon after he’ll retire and take a pro job at a club. But he starts winning. And after falling in love with Lizzie, he keeps winning. Her evil tennis dad (Sam Neill) – boo, hiss – tries to keep them apart. Love, however, prevails.


The subplot in “Wimbledon” revolves around Peter’s loopy family, in which his brother bets against him and his parents are at war. They’re all reunited as a cohesive (and suddenly better dressed) family unit after Peter’s sudden success. As in “Bridget Jones,” the portrait of British family life is class-based and leafy green.


Mr. Bettany is a gentle, earnest sweetheart who kisses Ms. Dunst’s body parts and delivers his lines with a natural ease. But as in “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” the American girl gets all the flat, dumb lines. There are several show-stealers in this film, but the best is Jon Favreau (“Swingers”) as the Johnny-come-lately agent. Fast-talking and constantly speaking into his mobile phone, Mr. Favreau is the character one wishes there were more of.


Well, that and Peter Colt. But after this film, we’ll most likely be seeing more of the deliciously freckled Mr. Bettany. Or at least one can hope.

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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