Final Set

Final Set, directed by Quentin Reynaud, is a compelling sports drama released in 2020. The film, running for 113 minutes, stars Alex Lutz, Ana Girardot, and Kristin Scott Thomas with the plot revolving around the soul-searching journey and arduous trial of Thomas Edison, a veteran tennis player.

In the film, Lutz plays the character of Thomas Edison who has long been passionate about tennis. Once a child prodigy in the realm of tennis, his career has been filled with several ups and downs. As the film starts, Thomas, now 37 years old, can be seen dealing with the harsh reality of not being in his prime anymore as an athlete. His past is marked by promising victories including reaching the semi-final rounds of the Roland Garros tennis tournament. Yet, his path to glory was marred by injuries, a slump in performance, and eventual decline to obscurity.

In an attempt to rewrite his story, Thomas makes a risky yet inspiring decision to qualify for the professional circuit, despite his aging body and pressing familial responsibilities. The movie's core tension lies in this journey where the protagonist strives to make sense of his past, present, and future.

Thomas not only faces the hurdle of physical endurance but also the emotional burden of mending fragile relationships in his personal life. This includes his wife Eve, played by Ana Girardot, and his mother Judith, portrayed by Kristin Scott Thomas. These characters imbue further depth and dynamism into Thomas’s life and the narrative as a whole, and demonstrate how a sports career can heavily impact one's personal relationships.

Eve, despite being supportive of Thomas's career, also longs for a stable family life. As a mother to their young son, she grapples with the insecure future that a comeback could impose on their family. Judith, on the other hand, is a strict and stern character. As a demanding tennis teacher and critical mother, her relationship with Thomas is equally complex. The film brilliantly delves into these relationships and the intricate web that ties an athlete's life in and out of the field.

The movie is a commentary on the challenges faced by athletes, especially those nearing the end of their careers. It encapsulates the struggle athletes contend with as they balance personal relationships with professional ambitions. The film also underscores the significance of resilience, tenacity, and enduring the pressure of expectations.

Director Quentin Reynaud, himself a tennis enthusiast, meticulously crafts the portrayal of tennis in the film. With an attention to detail that will satisfy tennis fans, Final Set is decorated with realistic, cutting-edge match sequences that make full use of the film's even lighting and controlled camera work. These scenes reflect the intensity, anticipation, and drama that professional tennis encapsulates.

Alex Lutz delivers a standout performance as the protagonist aiming for a comeback. His portrayal of Edison's determination to revive his career and his silent struggles with self-doubt and family life is poignant and gripping.

Amid the high-paced match plays and intense tennis tournaments, Final Set beautifully employs subtle cinematography and poises a perfect balance between fast-paced sports scenes and slower, more dramatic moments. Aiding the overall aesthetic of the film are the well-lit frames and crisp editing that do justice to both the gorgeous tournaments and the more intimate family moments.

Leading with its evocative script, Final Set stresses its themes of resilience, courage, and the human aspect of sports through its captivating character arcs and intricate relationships. Although it firmly grounds the audience in a world of professional tennis, its exploration of middle-aged crises, dreams, ambition, and family commitments renders it a universal appeal.

In conclusion, Final Set serves as a compelling portrait of an aging sportsman’s struggle and life beyond the court. It is a tale not just about sports, but also about passion, aging, resilience, and personal relationships. The film is a must-watch for sports enthusiasts and lovers of dramatic cinema alike.