ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

Female Film Critics 24/375

tennis

Reviews 

CHALLENGERS – Review by Susan Granger

Susan Granger , , , , , , ,

Italian director Luca Guadagnino’s emotional entanglement saga involving three tennis players is certainly one of the most challenging in recent memory. It begins as discontented top-ranked tennis pro Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) is nearing is 40th birthday and obviously tiring of the game, much to the distress of his ultra-competitive wife/coach Tashi Duncan (Zendaya). To restore his mojo, she urges him to enter a low-level Challenger tournament in New Rochelle, New York. What she doesn’t realize is that Donaldson’s long-time on-court rival, Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) is one of the participants. Down-on-his-luck and so strapped for cash that he sleeps in his car, Zweig needs a win there in order to qualify for the U.S. Open.

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Reviews 

FEDERER: TWELVE FINAL DAYS – Review by Diane Carson

Diane Carson , , , , , , ,

Federer: Twelve Final Days honors tennis legend Roger Federer. Granted exclusive, private access, directors Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia shot the documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days never intending a public viewing. Thankfully, via Amazon Prime Video, tennis fans can joyfully share Federer’s expertise and the regret that his phenomenal competitive career has ended. For those not into sports, Federer is Roger Federer, tennis phenomenon for over twenty-four years.

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Commentaries 

CHALLENGERS: Love from the Tennis Movie Playbook – Jennifer Green comments

Jennifer Green , , , , , , ,

The final climactic scenes of Luca Guadagnino’s new film Challengers track an epic court battle between two professional tennis players, Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor). The story follows them as childhood best friends coming up in the world of pro tennis whose relationship is complicated by their love for the same woman, frustrated tennis star Tashi (Zendaya). Their own obvious mutual attraction adds another level of homoerotic friction. You’d expect nothing less from the director of Call Me by My Name. But that doesn’t mean Challengers is entirely new as far as tennis movies go. In fact, the film pulls quite a few ideas from the existing tennis movie playbook.

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Reviews 

CHALLENGERS – Review by T. J. Callahan

T. J. Callahan , , , , ,

Director Luca Guadagnino, known for his wildly emotional, erotic and shocking films, has gone full soap opera as he serves up a tennis “love” triangle drama of the most steamy proportions with Challengers. Zendaya stars as Tashi, a teen tennis phenom. After suffering a career ending injury she turns to coaching her husband, a well known tennis champ on a losing streak. Tashi enters Art in a low level Challenger tournament to boost his confidence — until he finds himself in the finals pitted against his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.

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Reviews 

CHALLENGERS – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

Valerie Kalfrin , , , , ,

Early in Challengers, Zendaya as a young tennis prodigy leans back on a motel bed, watching a situation unfold. Her smirk is both amused and aroused, turned on by her power more than her company. Director Luca Guadagnino’s hot and heavy sports drama pumps up the sensuality, with sweaty closeups of eyes, glistening torsos, and plenty of grunting—and that’s just on the tennis court. What the film mostly explores is a menage-a-trois—not the one hyped in the trailers but the complicated relationship of three competitive people who can’t stay out of each other’s business. Challengers offers a messy contest of wills and connections with a lot to unpack.

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Festivals Reviews 

McENROE (Tribeca 2022) – Review by Marilyn Ferdinand

Marilyn Ferdinand (Archived Contributor) , , , , , ,

Every moment of documentary director/screenwriter Barney Douglas’ film contains interesting information from famous eye witnesses, including other tennis greats, as well as from an open and honest John McEnroe. This film is vital viewing for anyone who wants to see and understand the achievements and heart of this champion.

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Reviews 

FIRST ONE IN – Review by April Neale

April Neale 0 Comments , , , ,

Indie comedy First One In is a really funny film that cloaks female empowerment and hard won camaraderie in humor. It’s a terrific first effort from Gina O’Brien. Her take on the subtle cues women give each other in conversations and her ability to convey them in believable comedic banter and visually interesting shots holds promise for more excellent work to come. Don’t overlook this one.

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Reviews 

FIRST ONE IN – Review by Kristin Page Kirby

Kristen Page-Kirby 0 Comments , , , ,

Movies about women’s sports — particularly team sports — often get short shrift when compared to men’s sports movies; it seems that for every A League of Their Own there are a dozen Friday Night Lights, and that’s one of the things that sets First One In apart. Writer/director Gina O’Brien’s ensemble of characters and the actors who play them make First One In a good game to watch.

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