"It's one of those feel-good movies that a critic doesn't have to feel bad about recommending." John Monaghan DETROIT FREE PRESS "Wimbledon is a smashingly fun love romp - chock full of smiles and laughs and giddiness like a proper romantic comedy should be." Emily Blunt BLUNT REVIEW "The real draw [in Wimbledon] is seeing Paul Bettany fill the romantic comedy shoes that Hugh Grant has long grown out of." Robin Clifford REELING REVIEWS "This is the part that will finally make the tall, freckled Bettany a star. He's exquisitely high-strung in a way that women will find madly attractive and men madly agreeable." David Edelstein, SLATE "Simply a strong entertaining film. Professional production, hardy acting, solid direction, engaging story. It's got romance, sport, comedy and drama." Ross Anthony HOLLYWOOD REPORT CARD

"It’s essentially a showcase for its two up-and-coming stars, and they keep it light and lively." Daniel M Kimmel WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE "Bettany gives a fine comic performance as Peter, light and self-deprecating as he reacts to this lucky turn of events in his romantic and sports life." Sean Means SALT LAKE TRIBUNE "Too bad the real Wimbledon never looks this interesting." David Levine FILMCRITIC.COM "A smart story, good direction, great chemistry, and some pretty exciting tennis to boot." Jeff Otto IGN FILMFORCE "Fun to watch, because, like the occasional pure-formula movie, it is well made." Craig Roush KINNOPIO'S MOVIE REVIEWS

At A Glance

"Richard Loncraine's romantic fantasy, Wimbledon, is cruelly designed to make feeble-minded tennis fans go weak at the knees. As such, it works perfectly." .... James Christopher TIMES OF LONDON

Are you one of the millions of cinemagoers who enjoyed films like, "Notting Hill", "Love Actually", "Bridget Jones's Diary" or "About A boy"? If the answer is yes then it's a shoe-in that "Wimbledon", the latest romantic comedy from Working Title Films will be right up your viewing alley. Working Title Films, co-chaired by producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner and founded in 1982 has gained an awesome repution when it comes to romantic comedies, especially those combining the talents of actor Hugh Grant and writer, director Richard Curtis. Those films were of course, "Four Weddings And A Funeral", "Notting Hill", "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Love Actually". The seventy films produced by Working Title Films have grossed over two and a half billion dollars world wide, won four Academy Awards, twenty BAFTA Awards, numerous awards at major film festivals such as Cannes and Berlin, all of which led to Working Title Films, Europes leading movie production company, receiving the prestigious Michael Bacon BAFTA Award for service to the British Film Industry. It therefore doesn't surprise me at all, Working Title Films are once again in the spotlight with their latest production "Wimbledon". Like many cinemagoers, I'm a real softy when it comes to quality, light hearted romantic movies. And like many, I also enjoy a film where I can 'root' for the underdog. I also love nothing better than a good laugh. Finally, I'm a guy and yes, I must confess, I'm also a bit of a sports nut. So here's what makes "Wimbledon" such an enjoyable watch. It's, romantic; it's funny; it's set at one of the worlds major sporting events, Wimbledon; and yes, there's an underdog to 'root' for. It's all very British and very charming. Now I'm not the only one who thinks there's an an intriguing storyline in "Wimbledon", so if you don't want to take my word for it then why not go to the experts. When screenwriters Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin came up with the idea for a love story set against the background of professional tennis they took it to Working Title Films who didn't hesitate to take it on board. "We loved the idea," producer and Working Title Films co-founder Eric Fellner said. "The way in which the characters were set up, the fact that it was an 'underdog' type of story and the idea of professional tennis serving as the backdrop for this love story; it had all the ingredients to make a great film. It provided us another opportunity to tell an interesting story in an appealing way." Now do you believe me? Not quite convinced? Maybe producer Liza Chasin who has headed the USA division of Working Title Films since 1996 will sway you. Chasin by the way has worked on a number of critically acclaimed and box office winners including "Fargo", "High Fidelity", and "Elizabeth" says, "Whether you love tennis or hate tennis, it doesn’t matter, because this is a story that will entertain audiences. Not only do people love an underdog story, but they love it when the underdog just might end up with the girl, too." OK, maybe someone who is "an avid player who grew up in Forest Hills, New York near the prestigious West Side Tennis Club, the former site of the US Open isn't the best source for backing up my argument, so who can I turn to then. What about non-sports nut Emmy recipient and Directors Guild of America Award winning director Richard Loncraine. "I am not an avid sports fan and I haven’t really done that much that could be termed romantic comedy. But I was really excited by the project; it had an energy and a freshness about it. And I have to admit that my kids had been saying to me; Dad, can you make a movie that we might want to go and see?" Loncraine admits making the film was a real challenge in many way, not the least, filming during the 2003 Wimbledon Championships. "I really wanted to have a go at doing a comedy of this sort and I thought it would be new and a bit difficult for me. I mean, with a comedy, if they don’t laugh, it’s not funny, then you’ve screwed up. It was a real challenge making a romantic comedy like this; probably as hard as anything that I’ve done. It’s been hard sometimes, but marvelous as well." Yes, "Wimbledon" is bloody marvellous and don't you worry about whether those tennis scenes will prove real enough because they received the nod of approval from our former Wimbledon champion, Australia's Pat Cash who worked as a consultant on the film. "Obviously, since it’s a movie, there is some artistic license," Cash says, "but it was pretty accurate with regard to the world of the players and the atmosphere at Wimbledon it portrays." Finally, what was it that attracted the two lead stars to "Wimbledon"? Kirsten Dunst says she had a lot of fun playing Lizzie, a character she found very interesting. "I really liked the script. It was a smart romantic comedy and I also like the elements of the tennis," Dunst explained. "I think there is something really sexy about tennis. It has an elegance to it. I am also a big fan of the producers and I knew they would make a good love story." And what about working with Paul Bettany? "He is so talented. It’s rare that you get to work with actors like that and it makes you work all the harder." And what were Battany's thoughts? "The script struck me as clever and funny," he said. "I’ve never done a sports movie and I’ve never done a sort of comedy drama, so I thought it would be a challenge." So, was it just the script which attracted him to the project? "I really like Richard a lot. He’s a real straight talker and shares the process of filmmaking with you completely, which makes doing a film with him a great experience. I think he’s done a brilliant job of helping to maintain that lightness of touch that is crucial to this kind of romantic comedy." Crew Bytes "Wimbledon" was .......
directed by Emmy Award & DGA Award winner Richard Loncraine ["Richard III", "The Missionary", "The Gathering Storm" and "Wide Eyed and Legless"]; screenplay by Adam Brooks ["The Invisible Circus", "French Kiss", "Beloved" and "Practical Magic"] and Jennifer Flackett & Mark Levin ["Drive", and "Madeline"]; costume design by Louise Stjernsward ["Sexy Beast", "The Passenger", "Incognito" and "The Dreamers"]; production design by Brian Morris ["The Insider", "Unfaithful", "Pirates Of The Caribbean" and "The Commitments"]; edited by Humphrey Dixon ["Sirens", "Enemy At The Gates", "Lawn Dogs" and "Evelyn"]; director of photograhpy Darius Khondji ["Delicatessen", "Evita", "Panic Room" and "Seven"]; original music by BMI Film Music Award winner Edward Shearmur ["Win A Date With Tad Hamilton", "Laws Of Attraction", "Miss Congeniality", and "The Sweetest Thing"] produced by Liza Chasin ["The Interpreter", "Thirteen", "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and "Bridget Jones's Diary"], Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner ["Bridget Jones's Diary", "The Guru", "Thunderbirds", "Love Actually" and "Shaun Of The Dead"] and Mary Richards ["Notting Hill", "The Borrowers", "Nuns On The Run" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral"]. Casting About "Wimbledon" stars .......
London Film Critics Circle Award winner Paul Bettany ["A Knights Tale", "A Beautiful Mind", "Master & Commander" and "The Heart Of Me"]; MTV Award winner Kirsten Dunst ["The Cats Meow", "Levity", "Spider-man I & II" and "Mona Lisa Smile"]; James McAvoy ["The Near Room", "Swimming Pool", "Bollywood Queen" and "Bright Young Things"]; Bernard Hill ["Trial by Combat", "The Sailor's Return", "The Bounty", "Shirley Valentine", "The Scorpion King" and "Gothika"]; Eleanor Bron ["Women in Love", "Black Beauty", "Iris" and "Love's Brother"]; Jon Favreau ["Swingers", "Made", "Marciano", "Deep Impact" and "The Replacements"]; Austin Nicholas ["The Day After Tomorrow", and "Six Feet Under"]; Barry Jackson ["Ryan's Daughter", "Glitterball", "The Sailor's Return" and "The Shooting Party"]; Robert Lindsay ["That'll Be the Day", "Three for All", "Adventures of a Taxi Driver", "Fierce Creatures" and "Goodbye My Love"]; Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ["Bent", "Enigma", "My Name is Modesty" and "Black Hawk Down"]; Annabel Leventon ["Some Like It Sexy", "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", "Real Life" and "Indian Summer"]; Kellie Shirley ["Whacked"] and AFI Award winner Sam Neill OBE ["The Piano", "The Dish", "Plenty", "My Brilliant Career, "Bicentenial Man", "The Horse Whisperer" and "Dead Calm"] as Dennis Bradbury. The Story

"Kirsten may be the star but this is Paul Bettany's movie - he gets to be the lover, hero, all-around nice guy and he does it with great charm and believability." Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone THEMOVIECHICKS.COM

British tennis professional Peter Colt is contemplating the end of his career. With a career best ranking of eleven which has slipped to one hundred and ninety one, Colt is ready to retire and take up a job offer as tennis professional at a local club. His last tournament will be on the hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon, thanks to a wild card. His current record suggests his final appearance will be short lived and that he'll make a quick exit with a first round loss to a far younger opponent. A mixup with his hotel room leads to a chance meeting with rising American tennis star Lizzie Bradbury. Colt is given the key to the same luxury room as the fiesty, tempermental young lady. He wanders in while Lizzie is in the shower. But Colt's luck isn't that good. He apologizes and is soon in his allocated room, which is small, cramped and very basic. Then the unthinkable happens. Peter and Lizzie meet again. There's chemistry here. It leads to an affair. Bouyed by love, Peter, much to every ones amazement, wins his first match. Another win sees the fans getting behind him. His newfound success even brings his manager Ron Roth out of hiding. Colt's winning streak continues and a groundswell of euphoria sweeps another ranked opponent off the court. It seems everyone is happy for him. All except Lizzies coach, her father Dennis. He wants the affair finished. Lizzie is here to play tennis. Not to play around. With the spark of love blown out, Peter Colt must now prove once and for all that he really does have it within himself to take on the seeded, young stars and beat them at their own game. This will be the toughest call the 31 year old has ever faced in his career. The Verdict "Game, set and Match. "Wimbledon" is a 'love' story that just keeps serving up 'aces'. "Wimbledon" stars, Bettany and Dunst make a perfect pair. The onscreen chemistry is evidence of how well they work together. The blend of tennis, love and comedy will ensure "Wimbledon" attracts a wide audience. While many will know where "Wimbledon" is heading, it doesn't spoil the experience one little bit. Recommended." The Cast

Kirsten Dunst Paul Bettany James McAvoy Bernard Hill Eleanor Bron Jon Favreau Sam Neill Nikolaj Coster-Waldau John McEnroe Chris Evert Mary Carillo John Barrett Barry Lee-Thomas Kyle Hyde Robert Lindsay Celia Imrie Penny Ryder Annabel Leventon Amanda Walker Marina Morgan Barry Jackson Beti Sekulovski Vikas Punna Abhin Galeya John McGlynn Jonathan Timmins

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Lizzie Bradbury Peter Colt Carl Colt Edward Colt Augusta Colt Ron Roth Dennis Bradbury Dieter Prohl Himself Herself Herself Himself Umpire - Final Monte Carlo Opponent Ian Frazier Mrs Kenwood Mrs Littlejohn Mrs Rossdale Country Club Tennis Lady Hotel Receptionist Danny Oldham Lizzie's 1st Opponent Ajay Bhatt Vijay Bookmaker Ball Boy

The Crew Directed by Richard Loncraine Written by Adam Brooks/Jennifer Flackett/Mark Levin Produced by Liza Chasin/Eric Fellner/Mary Richards Executive Producers Tim Bevan/Debra Hayward/David Livingston Original Music by Edward Shearmur Cinematography by Darius Khondji Film Editing by Humphrey Dixon Casting by Joanna Colbert & Irene Lamb Production Design by Brian Morris Art Direction by Tony Halton Set Decoration by Caroline Cobbold Costume Design by Louise Stjernsward Production Manager Jeremy Johns Run Time 98 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Universal Pictures/Working Title - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved