Written and Directed by Barney Douglas

In what has been a momentous year in the tennis world with the official retirements and farewell matches of two of the greatest players to ever play this great game, just how interested will tennis fans and others be in the story of the much-maligned former star dubbed super brat, John McEnroe?

His on-court accomplishments remain astounding to this day and the first third of this feature documentary keenly reminds us of them all. In 1977, John McEnroe entered Wimbledon as an 18-year-old qualifier and remarkably went all the way to the semi-finals, where he lost to future rival and fellow American Jimmy Connors. His rise in the rankings continued, reaching number 5 in the world in 1979. His unique game style, which involved impeccable volleying skills and unorthodox shot selections, unsettled his opponents and enthralled tennis spectators all around the world. In 1980, McEnroe made his first-ever grand slam final appearance at Wimbledon against his idol, Björn Borg. The enticing match-up between the young American prodigy and the bona fide Swedish star, who was playing to win his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, also made headlines and drew public interest for their polar opposite demeanours on court. 

This documentary also addresses McEnroe’s confrontational on-court behaviour, which remain just as vivid a memory as his breakthrough and achievements throughout his professional tennis career do. 

When I watch a feature documentary, one of the prerequisites on my agenda is compelling insight. Regardless of the subject or subject matter, I want and expect the film to enlighten me with information I can’t find on Wikipedia or via Googling and to make me give a damn about what its purpose might be. This is one area McEnroe falls well short for me. Though we do get some alternating perspectives courtesy of interviews with the likes of John’s wife, Patty Smyth and former tennis legend Billie Jean King, there aren’t enough of them, and they are limited in content. What writer and director Barney Douglas doesn’t seem to realise is that John McEnroe’s actions and antics on-court speak for themselves and ultimately louder than any words input into his feature documentary. 

Though less important than my aforementioned prerequisite, there is a certain level of importance in the presentation of the subject or subject matter, both narratively and visually. For most part, McEnroe is better suited to the home viewing experience intended. It is set against the backdrop of a mostly quieter night of the streets in New York City. Some of its graphics imagery more closely resembles a screen saver, but the real footage used and the music that accompanies the film are immersive and atmospheric.

Overall, I have concerns for this documentary’s ability to be universally and individually satisfying, and can’t help but feel future inevitable documentary features with Serena Williams and Roger Federer as the subjects would inherently contain unmissable insights that will draw record-breaking levels of interest. 

McEnroe is available via digital download from October 26th.

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures Content Group for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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