Most people turn their nose up at the sport of tennis.  I have no idea how they feel about a movie on the subject.  I say partially this because I have zero recollection from the early 2000s of Wimbledon (2004), which is odd when you consider the star-studded cast.  Perhaps this can be chalked up to my own distaste for a pastime of kings.  Do not believe me?  Go to Hampton Court Palace.  In this place, one of King Henry VIII’s many expansive residences, is a court on which he batted a ball over a net with a racket.  This former Catholic (a fact we often forget) was an avid fan of the game, so it is no coincidence that one of the premier tournaments, Wimbledon, is held each year also near London.  Ironically enough, it has been decades since any athlete from England, male or female, has won the tournament, a fact that is not lost on the producers of today’s picture.  Excited?  Well, read on anyway.

As Peter Colt (Paul Bettany) struggles in losing another in a string of matches on the back end of his professional tennis career, Wimbledon is a distant thought.  Yet, as the former 11^th ranked player in the world, he is given a wildcard invitation to the prestigious tournament.  He returns home to his parents and brother, Carl Colt (James McAvoy), to tell them that this will be his last bout before retiring.  Augusta Colt (Eleanor Bron), his mother, is unfazed, thinking her son should be involved in other pursuits.  Edward Colt (Bernard Hill), Peter’s father, has different ideas.  From his treehouse where he spends most of his days away from his wife, Edward tells Peter, essentially, to play as hard as possible.  Thus, Peter heads to London, not expecting to win anything, but to enjoy his final competition.  Things appear to be looking up when he checks in to his hotel, being handed a key to a suite despite not having requested one.  Upon entering, he is embarrassed to find the up-and-coming Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst) emerging from the shower.  She is far more composed than he is, and he is soon sorted into the proper, less expensive room.  They meet again while practicing, he getting her to have fish and chips with him after knocking down two ball cans in a row with serves.  Her promise of something extra with a third hit goes awry, and I will let you deduce what “something extra” means.  All the same, it appears that is what is on their mind when they meet, she wanting to have a fling before getting into play as a way of loosening up.  Either way, she wants to keep it light, and he agrees.  The person who is not keen on their interactions is Dennis Bradbury (Sam Neill), her father.  Despite the fact that they both appear to be benefitting on the court from their activities, Dennis feels Peter is a distraction for her daughter.  Even so, her success is not much of a surprise to those observing the tournament.  It is Peter’s victories that is capturing attention.  He had come not expecting to win any matches, but he keeps winning despite the doubters, himself among them.  It almost comes to an end in the second match, his play slipping to a level more congruent with his age, until he spots Lizzie watching him from the crowd.  Because of their victories, and the fact that they seem to be enjoying each other, they begin to spend more time together.  This, too, starts to be noticed by the press and other players.  It is Peter’s competitor and friend, Dieter Prohl (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who encourages the romance even though Dennis and others object.  At one of the tournaments media events held at the London Eye, Lizzie and Peter are taking a ride in one of the Ferris wheel cars when they are approached by Jake Hammond (Austin Nichols), the number one player in the world and the favorite to win the tournament.  The younger professional says suggestive things to Lizzie, which earns him a right hook from Peter.  In the uproar, Peter takes Lizzie out of London to visit the seaside town in which he lives.  They spend a day there and, in the morning, Dennis finds them in Peter’s apartment.  Dennis is more understanding of their situation than they expect, saying that he thinks Peter is a good guy and he can see that there is something developing between the two.  However, he reiterates that Peter’s involvement is a distraction and insists that Lizzie focus on the tournament.  Peter is not pleased with this and the next night sneaks into the Bradbury apartment to sleep with Lizzie.  While this benefits Peter in yet another improbable win, though at the cost of an injured back, Dennis’ prediction about being unfocused turns out to come true and she loses.  This means Peter has earned a spot in the final match, but Lizzie is not happy about seeing him.  She accuses him of coming around only to get into bed with her before telling him to leave.  To get some form of comfort, he decides to visit his parents one more time.  He offers his family tickets to the match, which they are hesitant to take because they think their presence is bad luck for their son.  He insists, though, because win or lose he wants them there for him.  In the hours leading up to the contest, Peter is interviewed and credits Lizzie for being the main one responsible for him getting to this stage.  She hears this as she is about to leave London by plane and is touched, returning to the court with Dennis’ blessing.  As for the match, it is going in a predictable way, meaning poorly for Peter, until a rain storm suspends play for a little while.  In the locker room, Peter finds an apologetic Lizzie.  She gives him some tips on what to watch for with Jake’s serve, which Peter uses to mount a come-from-behind victory.  And everyone lives happily ever after.

I enjoy happy endings, and Wimbledon, like most sports films, serves it up.  Sorry, I could not resist the pun.  It also helps that it is a romantic comedy, though that also makes it somewhat predictable.  What is vastly less predictable is God’s will for our lives.  While I do not approve of how they handle their chance meeting, Peter could not have predicted being given the wrong room number and walking in on Lizzie’s life.  Later on, in describing her play, it is spoken of in a way that underscores what we should do when God appears to be intervening in our lives.  She goes for the chances given her, as should we.  Still, I say “appears” because discerning such things, as I have said in many reviews, is tricky.  Something can have all the makings of Providence and then not turn out the way we expect or hope.  This is difficult, but it just means that God had something else in mind.  I was reminded of the saying earlier today while talking to one of my dear Catholic friends that God often laughs while we plan.  It is not meant to be a mockery of our desires.  God listens to what we want, and sometimes that can align with His will.  I cannot emphasize enough how much of a blessing it is when that not only happens, but you feel that has been what has occurred.  I love seeing that take place, even if it does not benefit me personally, because I am moved simply to see God at work.  And while it is difficult to see God at work in much of what Lizzie and Peter do privately, there are moments when the Almighty is called upon during the film.  To be clear, it is not uncommon for people in times of stress, like when an important sporting event is on the line, to pray for Divine assistance.  God knows I have done so, 2016 when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series coming to mind.  Peter does this as he is closing in on the championship, and it works out in his favor.  Of course, there is no thanking of God because that so rarely happens in movies.  Nonetheless, we must take the blessings as they come.

Still, I am not sure Wimbledon is a blessing to watch.  It is not bad, but I was a little surprised by Lizzie’s promiscuousness in the beginning.  That first scene with her is not ideal, either.  There is no open nudity, and the film is rated PG-13, but it is kind of icky.  Otherwise, it is okay.