Μύ Paul Bettany's "rakish, old school charm" meant romantic comedy Wimbledon scored well with critics and moviegoers - even if it didn't knock the ball out of the park. Kirsten Dunst plays Bettany's 'ball-busting' love interest in the story of two tennis players hungry for success - and each other. It's the latest in a long line of fluffy comedies from UK production outfit Working Title and continues a depressing tradition of casting American stars to boost box office receipts.
New Balls
A series of fun but fleeting featurettes comprises the bulk of the package on DVD. Welcome To The Club offers a whirlwind tour of the famous All England Lawn Tennis Club with soundbites from cast and crew thrown in. There's also a look behind the scenes on the day the crew hijacked Centre Court in the middle of the 2003 championships. On walking onto hallowed turf backed by a chorus of cheers, Bettany was more than a little taken aback, likening the experience to "being a rock star as he goes out into the stadium".
In Ball Control director Richard Loncraine explains that he wanted to shoot the action scenes "like a Nike ad". In fact you may recognise the use of 'bullet time' from The Matrix as Bettany dives for a ball against an arcing line-up of mounted still cameras. CG tennis balls were also pivotal in choreographing the games with pinpoint precision. For added authenticity, former tennis pro Pat Cash coached the actors for six months, as you'll discover in Coach A Rising Star. "We get to grunt and everything!" raves Dunst, who evidently missed the point.
Line Call
Wimbledon: A Look Inside offers a broader, more conventional look at the making of the film. Perhaps the most interesting topic of discussion here is the device of "radiohead" - essentially the use of voiceover to make you privy to the thoughts of a tennis player between shots. There's more on this in a jovial audio commentary by Loncraine and Bettany, who remain friends despite blazing arguments over dodgy dialogue ie: when Bettany first sets eyes on Dunst in the shower. "I went to see it in Australia and it just did not get a laugh," the star insists. "I'll recall all the prints and change it then," sneers Loncraine.
While the extras are thin on the ground, they do provide a neat background to the film and contributions from retired pros like John McEnroe also raise the game. Play on...
EXTRA FEATURES
The Wimbledon DVD is out to buy on Monday 7th February 2005.
