X
  • 2018
  • Oscilloscope
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2018
  • Oscilloscope
  • 1 h 35 m

Summary John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection revisits the rich bounty of 16-mm-shot footage of the left-handed tennis star John McEnroe, at the time the world’s top-ranked player, as he competes in the French Open at Paris’s Roland Garros Stadium in 1984. Close-ups and slow motion sequences of McEnroe competing, as well as instances of his n...

Directed By: Julien Faraut

  • 2018
  • Oscilloscope
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2018
  • Oscilloscope
  • 1 h 35 m

John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection

Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 17 Critic Reviews
must-see
82
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.1
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection revisits the rich bounty of 16-mm-shot footage of the left-handed tennis star John McEnroe, at the time the world’s top-ranked player, as he competes in the French Open at Paris’s Roland Garros Stadium in 1984. Close-ups and slow motion sequences of McEnroe competing, as well as instances of his n...

Directed By: Julien Faraut

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 17 Critic Reviews
82
94% Positive
16 Reviews
6% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 17 Critic Reviews
82
94% Positive
16 Reviews
6% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Aug 21, 2018
Mr. Faraut’s impressionistic conflation of humor, wonder, horror and sympathy whisks this movie to the deluxe suite of the pleasure palace.
By Wesley Morris FULL REVIEW
90
Aug 27, 2018
What lingers, when this movie is done, are not the regular rallies, during which we survey the whole court, but those moments when we focus on McEnroe alone — on the dancing shuffle of his feet as he bobs and races for a return. Swap the sneakers for tap shoes and the dusty clay for a mirrored floor, and we could be watching Fred without Ginger, lost in the delirium of his art.
By Anthony Lane FULL REVIEW
90
Mar 27, 2018
Director Julien Faraut, who oversees the French Sport Institute’s 16mm film collection, showcases masterful command of the documentary form. His insightful, entertaining and often humorous film will appeal to fans of McEnroe, tennis and sport in general.
By Nikki Baughan FULL REVIEW
80
May 23, 2019
With its thickly-accented voiceovers, re-recorded into English by Mathieu Amalric, the film is a pleasingly eccentric watch, and one full of rare insights.
By Tim Robey FULL REVIEW
78
Sep 5, 2018
It is at times a beguiling and compelling piece of cinema, but it’s not without its frustrations.
By Josh Kupecki FULL REVIEW
75
Aug 29, 2018
An invaluable piece of sports history, with 16mm images by de Kermadec that are succulently detailed.
By G. Allen Johnson FULL REVIEW
50
Aug 17, 2018
The documentary's labored juxtapositions create fission, the feel of a director scrambling to dictate the game.
By Josh Wise FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.1
43% Positive
3 Ratings
43% Mixed
3 Ratings
14% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.1
43% Positive
3 Ratings
43% Mixed
3 Ratings
14% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company UFO Production, Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC), La Région Île-de-France, CNAP
Release Date Aug 22, 2018
Duration 1 h 35 m
Genres
Tagline Cinema lies. Sport does not.
Website http://mcenroe.oscilloscope.net/
View All Details

Awards

Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
London Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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