Summary
- Wimbledon, a blend of tennis and romance with star power, satisfies post-Challengers cravings for drama and comedy enthusiasts.
- Lead actors Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany deliver heartwarming chemistry on and off the court, reminiscent of the steamy dynamics in Challengers.
- Both films capture the pressures of professional sports and relationships, making Wimbledon a worthy watch for those hooked on sports-led dramas.
With the recent release of Challengers drawing in audiences with its steamy sexual tension and the star power of lead Zendaya, the movie has embraced its tagline, “Tennis is sex, and sex is tennis,” to the delight of many. At the same time, Luca Guadagnino’s film also features a love of the sport, offering both a stylish and realistic look at tennis through sharp cinematography and exploring the ins and outs of power dynamics, pushing the competitive nature of the sport. There are not many movies out there that combine these two elements as perfectly as Challengers, but there is one film that will help satisfy those post-Challengers cravings.
Released in 2004, the Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany-led rom-com Wimbledon combines a love of tennis with romance. Overlooked and underappreciated, we will take a closer look at the movie and explain why you should give it a watch based on the Challengers hype.
Wimbledon Plot and Cast
Peter Colt (Paul Bettany) is a pro tennis player considering abandoning the sport after the next Wimbledon, having fallen to 119th rank. At the tournament, he meets rising American star Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst), and the two begin to develop a romantic relationship, inspiring Peter to embrace the sport he had lost hope of finding success and fame. Despite all the odds and protests from Lizzie’s father and coach (played by Sam Neill), Peter excels under his newfound confidence and makes it to the finals. This leads to a final showdown with no.1 rank Jake Hammond (Austin Nichols) giving Peter a chance to prove himself before his planned retirement.
Wimbledon was directed by Richard Loncraine, best known for Richard III (1995), written by and starring Sir Ian McKellen. However, Wimbledon’s undeniable star power came from the inclusion of Kirsten Dunst as Lizzie Bradbury. By then, Dunst had already established herself as a powerhouse in Hollywood, having appeared in films such as Spider-Man, the cheerleading comedy Bring it On, and the acclaimed The Virgin Suicides.
Actor Paul Bettany had many supporting roles in such beloved films as A Knight’s Tale and A Beautiful Mind, but he is now best known for his role as the MCU hero Vision from WandaVision. Rounding out the cast were other notable names, such as James McAvoy (Split, Filth), Sam Neill (Jurrasic Park, The Piano), and Jon Favreau (Chef, Wolf of Wall Street). Wimbledon also featured infamous tennis pro John McEnroe (probably best known for his temper on the court) playing himself in a cameo appearance.
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Wimbledon Will Satisfy Your Post-Challengers Tennis Cravings
2004’s Wimbledon may lack the steaminess that many have enjoyed with Challenger’s, but that is not to say that the films don’t have other common grounds that make it worthwhile checking out both. Wimbledonstill has ample romance, albeit more clichéd for the era. Yet, the movie still hits those same heartwarming notes and captures the chemistry between the lead actors, similar to Challengers. Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst are the perfect romantic pairing, and seeing their relationship grow in tandem with their experience on the court is a treat.
However, the two films most closely match in their portrayal of the sport, with Wimbledon capturing the intensity of tennis matches with a well-executed mix of performances (with the help of former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash teaching the actors) and digital effects blending actual footage. Wimbledon also captures many of the pressures put on players through Peter’s struggle with his ranking and Lizzy’s complex relationship with her father, Dennis Bradbury (Sam Neill), who sacrifices emotions over the success of his daughter’s career. Sam Neill’s character, in particular, captures the pressures of professional sports on players and their support, which is touched on in Challengers.
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There are several other instances where one can highlight the films’ similarities. There may not be a love triangle like in Challengers, but Wimbledon brings up a contented and controversial romance on the court. Additionally, there is the inherent joy of cheering for the underdog as Paul Bettany’s charming persona, reminiscent of Hugh Grant, gets a second chance at the prestigious event.
The movie also features actors at the top of their game (pun intended), and Kirsten Dunst’s presence on the screen is comparable to that of Zendaya as a strong female presence. The two films are from different eras and take different approaches, which is noticeable in many ways. Still, for those wanting to watch more sports-led drama/romance/comedies, Wimbledon will help satisfy that post-Challengers tennis craving.
Where to Watch Wimbledon
Wimbledon
- Release Date
- September 13, 2004
- Director
- Richard Loncraine
Wimbledon is available for rent on Apple TV, Prime, or YouTube. Challengers is currently in theaters, but for those wanting to revisit the movie, it will likely come to Amazon Prime within a few months’ time, given the movie is an Amazon MGM Studios release. Specifically, Challengers is expected to follow the trend of having a 45-day theatrical window before its digital release, which would have it drop early to mid-June. However, if you want to see Challengers, not all Amazon MGM Studios films strictly follow this formula, so watch it in theaters while you can.
