In 1980, staid Bjorn Borg (lookalike Sverrir Gudnason), going for his fifth consecutive Wimbledon victory, faced the volcanic John McEnroe (a never-better Shia LaBeouf, having fun), thirsting for his first, in what was hailed as “the greatest match in tennis history.” Personally, I would’ve liked to see more of what made this match so unique — techniques, strengths, strategies — and less melodrama about the two guys’ fathers. Be warned that this skillfully made and entertaining Scandinavian movie is considerably more Borg than McEnroe, and about half in Swedish. Suggest looking for a subtitled version. (107 min, Aug 31)
Don Morton
Don Morton has viewed some 6,000 movies, frequently awake. A bachelor and avid cyclist, he currently divides his time between Tokyo and a high-tech 4WD super-camper somewhere in North America.You may also like
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Café Lounge Pandora at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
Sip tea by Japanese gardens and a waterfall at Café Lounge Pandora in the heart of Tokyo
Trans Youth in Japan: A Documentary Highlighting Their Struggles and Triumphs
Personal experiences of trans folks in Japan
Indoor Ski Resorts Near Tokyo
Snow place like home
Why Does Japan Drive on the Left?
A journey from samurai practicality to British train operations
A Tale of Edo Japan Timekeeping and Navigation
Cat's eyes, samurai hours, and the rise of the wadokei
Why Are There So Many Cats in Japanese Fiction?
Literary symbol or cultural cliche?