Borg vs. McEnroe

Name: Borg vs. McEnroe
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Released: April 13, 2018
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Björn Granath, David Bamber, Ian Blackman, Jackson Gann, Jane Perry

2018

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

See All

6.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.8	Your Score
6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Borg Vs. McEnroe

Now Playing: Borg Vs. McEnroe

Movie Details & Credits

Neon | Release Date: April 13, 2018 | Not Rated

Starring: Björn Granath, David Bamber, Ian Blackman, Jackson Gann, Jane Perry, Janis Ahern, Leo Borg, Marcus Mossberg, Robert Emms, Ronnie Sandahl, Scott Arthur, Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård, Sverrir Gudnason, Tuva Novotny

Summary: At the historic 1980 Wimbledon Championships, rising American star John McEnroe (Shia LaBeouf) sets his sights on dethroning reigning champion Björn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason), sparking an unprecedented media frenzy in the tennis world. At the center of the hype are two legendary tennis icons’ with polar opposite personas and approaches toAt the historic 1980 Wimbledon Championships, rising American star John McEnroe (Shia LaBeouf) sets his sights on dethroning reigning champion Björn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason), sparking an unprecedented media frenzy in the tennis world. At the center of the hype are two legendary tennis icons’ with polar opposite personas and approaches to the game. McEnroe is infamous for his brash, ferocious energy on the court and his equally spectacular, expletive-fueled tantrums, whereas Borg’s coolly composed, elegant style of play complements his unflappable public demeanor. However, both men are hiding deep anxieties, locked in battle with their inner demons.… Expand

Director: Janus Metz Pedersen

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 107 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Ann Hornaday

Apr 18, 2018

Sometimes a movie comes along that, devoid of a noisy publicity push or festival buzz, quietly ambushes the unsuspecting viewer with an absorbing, skillfully executed, meaningful and thoroughly entertaining experience. Ladies and gentlemen, Borg vs. McEnroe is just that kind of film. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Apr 12, 2018

Though American sports dramas find it hard to avoid heartwarming elements, this is a decidedly more even-keeled film, its European nature allowing it to focus on the drama of character as well as what happened on the court. Read full review

Richard Whittaker

Apr 11, 2018

The elegant emotional narrative is informed by their toxic relationships with their fathers. Read full review

The Playlist Kevin Jagernauth

Just as many sports movies before have done, and many more will after, Borg/McEnroe shines a light on the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. It’s just a shame that the movie itself doesn’t have the same ambition Read full review

E. Oliver Whitney

Borg/McEnroe isn’t a complete misfire, just more of a missed opportunity. Metz’s artful direction, the taut final match and LaBeouf’s rage-fueled antics are worth the ticket price alone. But it leaves you wondering how fantastic a full-on LaBeouf-McEnroe biopic could’ve been. Read full review

Time Out London Anna Smith

LaBoeuf is good, but his performance is – ironically – desperately serious, as is the tone of this film. Read full review

Jake Cole

Apr 8, 2018

Even the depiction of how both men waver during the Wimbledon final — of Borg losing his cool while McEnroe avoids succumbing to petulance — fails to tie into the larger portrait of their rivalry. Read full review

SEE ALL 30 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

CoKronakan

Jan 6, 2019

This movie felt like a good recreation of the rivalry between the two players. Shia LeBeouf played very well the angry young kid, it was the perfect role for him and he did deliver on my expectations. The rest of the actors did outstanding as well on every single emotional scene andThis movie felt like a good recreation of the rivalry between the two players. Shia LeBeouf played very well the angry young kid, it was the perfect role for him and he did deliver on my expectations. The rest of the actors did outstanding as well on every single emotional scene and frustrating tension scenes to. The cinematography was amazing as and the director really knew what he was doing. Simply everything works perfectly. Humor, pacing, visuals and sound effects, screen writing etc. The plot is simple, but the way it's presented makes it valuable and if you do not know the outcome of the match the movie can even surprise you. Overall it's an amazing movie with a very good message and perfectly working components but you need patients with it that is why won't get a 10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Jan 9, 2021

One of 2018's more underrated movies.
As someone who isn't a tennis fan, I found the telling of this great sporting rivalry to be meaningful and well executed.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 22, 2021

This I found to be a relatively gripping watch towards the end, in terms of seeing what happened at the main tennis match. I know tennis isn't known to be an especially exciting sport but I thought it was a decent drama overall. The acting isn't too bad and I felt engrossed in the two mensThis I found to be a relatively gripping watch towards the end, in terms of seeing what happened at the main tennis match. I know tennis isn't known to be an especially exciting sport but I thought it was a decent drama overall. The acting isn't too bad and I felt engrossed in the two mens feud - the anger/aggression seemed pretty believable. I'm not sure I can say I felt entirely sorry for them, although I certainly saw that pushy paprenting played a part in things. For a tennis film, this is surprisingly fast paced and even energetic at times - worth a watch, if your not a big sports fan as I'm not usually. As a character drama I thought it was ok, although maybe slightly depressing for some and some aspects of the mens personalities may not be entirely likeable or relatable to some - its still pretty decent and tense at the end. I can't comment on how historically accurate it is but as an entertaining film, its pretty good, so I'd recommend it on that basis.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rebecca31

Apr 13, 2018

I’ll start by saying I’m not a fan of tennis and I had no idea how this “inspired by true events” movie was going to play out. Although the accuracy of this movie is debatable the story of the rivalry between Björn Borg and John McEnroe is everything I expected and more. Gripping andI’ll start by saying I’m not a fan of tennis and I had no idea how this “inspired by true events” movie was going to play out. Although the accuracy of this movie is debatable the story of the rivalry between Björn Borg and John McEnroe is everything I expected and more. Gripping and constantly increasing in suspense until the dramatic build up to the 1980 Wimbledon final. It’s a thrilling experience and should not be missed.

Shia LaBeouf has proven that he does in fact have the ability to give not only a good, but a convincing performance and if he chooses his roles carefully he’ll have a promising future ahead. Sverrir Gudnason is outstanding as Borg, perfect casting. Although the story focuses more on Borg adding a suitable amount of childhood flashbacks to give us a sense of his character McEnroe doesn’t get the same amount of time to his backstory and it does seem very rushed with trying to flesh out his character. A well told story and if it can engage a non-tennis fan like me then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t see it, highly recommended.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS