The Squid And The Whale (2005)
Players: The Berkman family (Jeff Daniels’ Bernard, Laura Linney’s Joan, sons Frank and Walt, played by Owen Kline and Jesse Eisenberg) square off in a game of mixed family doubles that quickly turns fractious.
Who wins? Bernard and Walt are ahead when the game dissolves into an argument thanks to Bernard’s aggressive play. It’s not known who finally wins, though we’re going with Bernard.
Fault! Bernard’s language (“F**K!”) wouldn’t pass muster on Centre Court, though we’re sure John McEnroe used it in his time.
And using the game as metaphor for family issues probably isn’t in the rule book either, but that doesn’t stop the Williams sisters.
Random racquet trivia: While some of the movie is based on director Noah Baumbach’s life, he’s on record as saying the tennis match is entirely fictional.
Next: The Witches Of Eastwick
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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