Borg McEnroe (Janus Metz, 2017) Sweden, Denmark, Finland

Reviewed by Hugo Paxlind. viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival

An epic battle between two legendary tennis rivals. Björn borg and John McEnroe at the 1980 Wimbeldon.

In the movie we get to see more than tennis. we get to know the personalities of McEnroe and Borg as the movie slowly builds up to the 1980 Wimbledon. we get to know a cold emotionless Borg from childhood to adult and a childish McEnroe who brings all his feelings to the court. two extremely different people who share the same talent and dream, to be the very best.

To me the movie had quite a dark tone to it and Borg and McEnroe get portrayed like two people with personality disorders battling their own demons as well as each other. there are several times you notice this during the movie with Borg. He always shows up in the same car, same seat and his racket routine is to say at least a bit obsessive. unless you are a real tennis fan the movie can be a drag. a lot of background violin music and long tennis scenes that feel like fillers just to add a few extra minutes to the movie they could have shortened it a bit. On the positive side it is well made and the actors does a great performance and I have to say that the resemblance between Sverrir Gudnason and Bjorn Borg is uncanny and Shia Labeouf really portrays the roll of McEnroe well. all in all if you play tennis or like tennis you will like the movie, unfortunately it was not my cup of tea.