McEnroe

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.

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.

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.

This documentary is basically an excuse for the lack of a human being that John McEnroe was. It wants you to understand what a tortured crumb of a person he was, so in the light of history, McEnroe can seem like he is less of a turd.

Having grown up during his era of rudeness and nastiness to everyone that he felt was under him, I can say this guy is despicable. McEnroe kicked every little person all the way to the top, and then kicked them some more. He was and is a vile human being, and he has spent his retirement years trying to retroactively clean up his reputation.

McEnroe had no love, compassion, or respect for anyone. This documentary should have interviewed the hundreds of people that he humiliated and abused during his career and afterwards. Where are their insights into the sub-human that is John McEnroe??

When I was a a kid I thought he was the brat that the media labelled him - and he was! This documentary is narrated by the John that grew up and could look back and see himself as others saw him. He was a brilliant tennis player but he was a BRAT. When I watch tennis now I always hope he will be a guest pundit because he's not a brat that didn't learn how to be a person. He's very funny and self-deprecating now because he no longer has to prove himself. I wanted him to lose when I was a kid and now I'm glad he became a great champion - I'm guessing we both grew over time and we see life in the bigger picture!