McEnroe

As "McEnroe" (2022 release; 104 min) opens, we are in "Douglaston, NY" and today's John McEnroe talks about getting an edge on a tennis player, and on life. His wife of 25 years remarks: "People don't know John." We then go back in time, to John's upbringing, and what makes him want to become a tennis player. At this point we are less than 10 minutes into the film.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from Barney Douglass ("Warriors"). Here he bring a refreshed look at the career and legacy of John McEnroe, with full cooperation of McEnroe himself, as well as those around him (including his wife but also his grown children). McEnroe's troubling emotional outbursts are addressed head on, as is John's complicated relationship with his dad (also his manager for much of his career). Perhaps most surprising is the contribution and commentary by Bjorn Borg, McEnroe's idol and fierce rival in the early 80s. Turns out these 2 had (have) a lot more in common that one might surmise. Bottom line: I found this an insightful, even refreshing, look back at the phenom that was McEnroe, with all of his good and not so good aspects. In other words: a flawed human being (just like you and I) who happens to a terrific tennis player.

"McEnroe" premiered on Showtime this past weekend. If you have any interest in tennis, or in John McEnroe in general, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Whilst it is quite interesting, this documentary, it is still little better than a self-indulgent reminiscence by the man himself that features virtually no contributions from those folks who suffered from his petulance and immaturity - both on the court and elsewhere. Set against a long stroll through his haunts in New York, it takes us on a chronologically ordered career retrospective focussing on his rise to global success on the tennis court; his "superbrat" behaviour and his flawed relationships with friends and family alike, but it's all done very much on his own terms. His moments of revelation - long since appreciated by anyone who watched him and his tantrums as they grew up (including me) - are presented by him in an almost celebratory way. Could he have achieved what he did - which, by even the standards of the day in his sport are nothing particularly remarkable - without the attention seeking strops? Sure there was gamesmanship going on a-plenty, but he seemed to revel in the extent to which he "recreated" tennis - or that is certainly the perspective I took from this very disappointing Barney Douglas feature. It completely lacks objectivity allowing this undoubtedly talented but supremely peevish man to write his own story and though there is the slightest hint of a mea culpa at the end, it's all very much "How History Should Remember John McEnroe" - by John McEnroe himself. Worth a watch, but under-delivers.

Love him or hate him, if you were a tennis fan, 40 years ago, then like me, you would have been privileged to have watched the most talented man to have walked on a tennis court.

This is the story of how John McEnroe met with triumph and disaster. How or why he frequently exploded, and had a meltdown on the tennis court in the most self-destructive way is never really answered.

However, there is no beating around the bush when it comes to why his invincible status, especially in slams, came to a premature end.

There are candid interviews with his wife and some of his children Who reveals much about themselves and their father.

This is a must see for all sports fans.

This cinematic attempt to capture the essence of Superstar John McEnroe works on so many levels that we thoroughly enjoyed almost every moment of it. John is quite candid about his evolution from a total brat during the years that he played tennis to the mature individual who he has evolved into. From his terrible tantrums to the tender moments he now shares with his extended family. His candor should be appreciated. The bonus in this film is the high quality that the cinematographer introduces. The film offers insights into one of the greatest tennis players that the United States has ever produced. John has also become one of the beat announcers for the sport. His insights and commentaries enhance all the major tennis events at so many levels. Who needs Pickleball when we John McEnroe calling tennis matches.

A story of love to life, to family, to serendipity and fortune, its love to physical activity, its a hymn of human complexity, and not to forget the love of the sport called tennis.i remember those days when borg and mcenroe battled the fields of wimbledon, the raging moments of john and the cool moments of bjørn borg, that drew even me to an open asfalt field with imaginary nets and lines sleizing the ball with my slezinger bat, gee those where the days of glory.

A very well made production, an original take on strolling through new york in the midst of the darkest hours of the day along with john m., a very humanized mcenroe makes the world so much more sympathetic, so if you love tennis, have a look at this documentary.well made and thank you john for all you gave to us back then.