Before Challengers there have been The best victory
Tennis is in the spotlight right now with the release of Challengers. New conquest by Luca Guadagnino, two years later Bones and allThe film presents ZendayaMike Faist and Josh O’Connor a love triangle. A love story that has lasted for several years and sees Tashi (Zendaya), a professional tennis player, turning the heads of two boys, Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and Art (Mike Faist), also tennis players. Except that Tashi will suffer a serious injury and will have no choice but to retrain, while the two men will face off on the tennis courts.
There is no doubt that this new film by Luca Guadagnino, sold as a sulphurous opera, will find its audience. Especially with Zendaya’s presence in the casting. However, the release of Challengers made us want to talk about another romantic comedy set in the world of tennis: The best victory (2004). Released 20 years ago, Richard Loncraine’s film was not a great success, despite still grossing more than $40 million worldwide. Which didn’t stop The best victory become a cult for some cinephiles passionate about romantic comedies of the 2000s, more precisely those set in the world of sport, like the equally friendly ones Play like Beckham (2002).
Romance and tennis tournaments for Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst
Worn by Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst, The best victory sees the first play Peter Colt, an elderly British tennis player, who has never won a major title. From now on close to retirement, is already starting to think about retraining as a sports teacher. But first she will be able to participate one last time in the prestigious Grand Slam that is Wimbledon. To everyone’s surprise, Peter will get through the first rounds and start dreaming of the title.
Except that at the same time, on the women’s circuit, there is Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst), a young American, tennis figure on the rise. An athlete focused on winning and driven by a fairly possessive father/coach. Her chance meeting with Peter will then upset his tournament. And both will be faced with a difficult choice: give priority to their feelings or their career.
Maria Sharapova could have starred in the film
Self The best victory it’s also enjoyable, it’s largely thanks to the chemistry between Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst. A duo that works to perfection and manages to convince with racket in hand. Alongside them we find a great ensemble cast with, among others, Sam Neill, James McAvoy, Bernard Hill, Austin Nichols, Jon Favreau and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Furthermore, the atmosphere around Wimbledon adds a certain charm to the film. This is also the only time the tournament allowed film cameras to appear on the field during the event to the scenes of the film. The sequences were filmed before or after the matches to take advantage of the presence of the public and the officials, without disturbing the professional players.
As far as professional players are concerned, The best victory could have seen Kirsten Dunst go head to head with a certain Maria Sharapova. The latter was promising but little known at the time, which allowed the production to consider it. Only director Richard Loncraine would find that he looked too much like his lead actress. A year later, in 2004, Maria Sharapova turned 17 one of the youngest players to win Wimbledon. And without rancor, she showed up at the film’s premiere together with the film crew.
Source: Cine Serie
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