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****
Dir: Janus Metz (15, 100 mins)
The epic battle between tennis giants Bjorn Borg and John ‘you cannot be serious’ McEnroe is given cinematic centre court in Janus Metz’s snapshot of the two players. Borg, played by Sverrir Gudnason, is placid, controlled, and dubbed a machine by his arch-rival the volatile McEnroe, played with performance art intensity by Shia LaBoeuf. Their contrast in style is what made their Wimbledon clash in 1980 so mesmerising and Gudnason and LaBoeuf are on fine form, embodying their sweaty wrist and headbands. Although cast by the public as polar opposites at the time, the film suggests that they had their similarities. Borg is seen as a ferociously driven athlete, encouraged by coach Lennart Bergelin, played with reliable charm by Stellan Skarsgard, McEnroe is fuelled by ambition but riddled with anxiety. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the tennis world and what drives those at the top of their game, and it has some excellent haircuts.
Opens Sept 22