Love Means Zero

I do not know a lot about tennis nor do I care much for the sport. So, the fact that I recommend this documentary indicates that it has something more to watch.

The film consists of Nick Bolletierri talking about his career as one of the top tennis coaches in the world. What's so surprising about this is that often the film isn't especially complementary about the guy… and yet it was made with the full cooperation of Bolletierri AND he knew that folks disliked him and his methods. Why? Because Bolletierri appears to be a consummate narcissist...and any attention is a good thing in his eyes. And, like a narcissist, he has little regard for those around him as they mostly are there to meet his needs…and he often refers to himself in the third person! At one point, he even said he cannot remember the names of his ex-wives…all eight of them. In addition to Bolletierri who talked almost non-stop and showing little serious regret for his career mistakes or those he hurt, the filmmaker (Jason Kohn) interviews many of Bolletierri's ex-students as well as a few others…all there to help explain who they felt Bolletierri is and what they think of him and his training methods. Together, these all create an interesting portrait of the man…so interesting and compelling that you cannot help but be fascinated by the film.

For me, the downside of this film isn't necessarily that Kohn made any mistake. But with my background as a mental health therapist, I would have loved learning more about Bolletierri apart from his job… that is if there is much to him beyond the court. Overall, a film that surprised me as I was never bored…and I marveled that Bolletierri was apparently happy with the documentary even thought it clearly did not portray him in the best light.

"Love Means Zero" (2017 release; 90 min.) is a documentary about tennis coach Nick Bollettieri. As the movie opens, we get some high level comments from Jim Courier and Boris Becker, and we note that Andre Agassi is not going to contribute to the film (but that doesn't stop Agassi from being featured heavily in the movie). We then to back in time to when Bollettieri started the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, FL and soon he starts attracting major tennis talent. Meanwhile Bollettieri, now well in his 80s, is talking to the camera and holding court... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, and you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from producer-director Jason Kohn. Here he brings Bollettieri's story, with fill cooperation of the coach himself. I vaguely knew of the guy, but nothing really in details, and hence I was quite interested. It is clear that Bollettieri was very driven and very ambitious. Where his coaching methods "kosher"? As the guy keeps saying: "look at my record, it speaks for itself", and from that perspective it is difficult to argue. But is that all there is to life? Of course not, and Bollettieri makes plenty of dubious decisions and choices. Kohn tries to pin him down on that, but Bollettieri keeps reminding Kohn and us viewers "I simply move on", and that is that. The interviews with Courier and Becker and some other notables really add a lot. Of course Agassi's shadow looms over it all from start to finish. Bottom line is that you may or may not agree or even like Bollettieri, but one cannot deny that he is a master storyteller, and that as a result, this makes for an enjoyable and entertaining documentary.

"Love Means Zero" premiered at eh 2017 Toronto International Film Festival to good acclaim. I caught it the other day on Showtime on Demand. If you like tennis or have any interest in a controversial but successful tennis which Bollettieri surely was, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.