Wimbledon is heating up, and whether it’s Serena Williams powering through her opponents or Andy Murray slowly roasting under a closed Centre Court roof, it’s inspired us to think of some of the maddest tennis matches ever committed to celluloid…
So join us, won’t you, in Total Film’s cinematic court while we bat around a few lobs thrown by filmmakers over the years.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Players: Richie “The Baumer” Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson) and Sanjay Gandhi (Sanjay Matthew).
Who wins? While we don’t see the final score, the Baumer’s clearly not doing well, losing both previous sets and down in the current one.
His eventual meltdown leads to him retiring permanently from the game and investing himself in his real purpose – lusting after adopted sister Margo (Gwyneth Paltrow).
Fault! At one point, Richie takes off his shoes and one sock, and ends up sitting down on the court. That sort of thing would never pass muster at the All England Club.
The umpire would have shot him for his behaviour. Okay, not shot. But severely reprimanded the man.
Random racquet trivia: The commentators are voiced by Andrew Wilson and director Wes Anderson.
Next: School For Scoundrels
Comments
Rasputin
Jul 1st 2009, 23:25
Good stuff, but can't believe you missed Strangers On A Train. Farley Granger's tennis pro must win in double-quick time so he can leave to prove he's innocent of murdering his wife. Or he could just lose equally quickly, which he dismisses, saying "it would look suspicious" - but when he starts losing anyway, he ups his game to win, thereby making the match take even longer. Anyway, a tennis pro rushing through a tournament match to go to a fairground to catch a murderer and prove his own innocence? Really? Can't see Tim Henman being embroiled in anything so sordid
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Desperation
Jul 3rd 2009, 9:31
NO man dressed as a woman has ever won? What about Mauresmo?
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