Game, Set, Love

Hallmark doesn't do this kind of movie often where a sporting event dominates the story. They do plenty of contests, but this kind of sports movie has a different feel from most of the others by its nature. This one follows the pattern you would expect with a slight twist almost at the last minute.

There was some mild chemistry between Davida Williams and Richard Harmon. The acting was OK. The dialogue had a few good moments but was mostly average. Some sets were almost cheesy since the training facility looked more elaborate than the tournament itself.

There is almost always an aspect where each of the lead couple encourage the other to be a better person. William was supposed to be a John McEnroe type with uncontrollable anger issues, but after we actually meet him, there isn't much of that.

There were lots of Tennis scenes including some coaching of youth players but otherwise the story was pretty simple.

Hire a Hall of Fame player to be producer, another Hall of Fame player to play an announcer, hype the heck out of the movie on your network and lead everyone to think they're going to see a good tennis movie (a rarity). This sort of requires that you deliver a good movie. This movie fails miserably.

When you combine terrible acting with a terrible script AND terrible tennis, it results in a straight set loss. Call it love and love for the absolute nothingness this movie has to offer.

Where to start. Let's begin with the two leads, Davida Williams and Richard Harmon (who just happens to be the brother of the director). Williams brings a pleasant enough presence to the screen, but is absolutely unconvincing as a tennis pro. Part of the problem is the weak dialogue she is given, but the more significant problem is the fact that she does not look the part at all.

Harmon's character might as well have been played by a cardboard cutout, as that's about as much depth as he brings to the part. His complete lack of athleticism is strikingly apparent and makes him completely unbelievable as a tennis pro. He would also be completely unbelievable as a tennis student, a ball boy or anything else related to tennis. I picture nepotism as the only reason he was cast and those responsible should be ashamed.

Poor acting MIGHT have been overcome if the tennis action were good. Likewise, poor tennis action MIGHT have been overcome if the acting were top notch. However, in this case the tennis action is just as painful (maybe even more so) than the acting. The awful filming painfully hides the lack of athletic ability of ANYONE in the cast. There are no long range shots of the game being played, only cheesy studio close ups of players stumbling, balls landing close to the line or players 'swinging' a racquet. The outfits, sneakers, movement and physique of the actors in no way portray any tennis pro I've ever seen. They don't even portray a modern 4.5 player.

The sets were awful. The finals were held in some sort of studio mock up with what was probably half a court. It's really a slap in the face to try and convince the viewers this is real tennis when you cannot even film in a real tennis venue. Of course, the producers (one is mentioned below) and the director must have realized early on they weren't going to be able to make it look like real tennis because they didn't hire anyone who could play tennis.

The contrived 'drama' of the 'high ankle sprain' scene at the end played as if written by a middle school net judge. I can't imagine any pro player having any doubt about finishing a match at that point. And they wouldn't be conversing it with their father, either.

For the life of me, I can't understand why Venus Williams and Tracy Austin would want to be associated with this dreck. They surely must have seen how poorly the actors were at tennis. Somebody must have asked them during auditions if they can play. Somebody must have looked at them during filming and seen how dreadful they were. And despite all this, they continued with the filming.

In all good conscience I cannot give this movie even one star - it's that bad, even by Hallmark standards. I'm not really a Hallmark fan - my wife watches all of their movies - but I do catch a few things here and there. I'd heard about this movie during the previews, and as an avid player, I thought I'd take a look. For a company which sends movies out to real tree farms, real restaurants, real kitchens, real locations - I really cannot fathom how they approved this absolute sham of a movie. All involved should be banned from center court.

My main problem with this one was the casting of the male lead. He did not have an athletic build and didn't look strong like a tennis player at all. His complexion was pasty like he did not spend anytime outside on a tennis court. As an actor, he came across as cold and disinterested. While in "resting face" or not consciously making an effort, there seemed to be nothing behind his eyes.

He was too young for Davida Williams the female lead. This age mismatch was exacerbated by the characters' personalities. She was a mature educator and task master as a coach. He played a whiny entitled childish brat. Throughout. The way he treated his parents near the end was despicable and mean. This dynamic does not make for a believable romance.

I find it hard to believe that Venus Williams and Tracy Austin were associated with this production.

I find it strange and annoying that only those who do not appreciate a film leave a review. I liked it, it's really amazing and funny in some moments. The two leads are convincing. I find that Richard Harmon has given depth to his character and shows great comedy skills too. Davida Williams was perfect. She is so much in the character. I really loved her work and the chemistry the leads get to build between their characters. This Is a process though because the beginning is not easy at all. Perhaps someone could expect some more attention to the romantic side in a Hallmark movie, not that I missed it, but here there was really a lot to tell and various aspects of Taylor and Will's personal and sporting life to eviscerate. In my opinion, giving a 1 or 2 to such a film is ridicolous and outrageous of the work of the cast and crew. I would put a 10 to try and remedy but I will not be so unfair and let a more than deserved 7.

I tried watching it but couldn't even last 10 minutes in. The actors have 0 chemistry and the acting is beyond bad plus the plot is weak. I know it's a Hallmark movie and some would say that the standards aren't too high for them but some movies are quite pleasant for a lazy Sunday in.

Also the fact that the Harmon brothers are linked to this project make it seem like its a total case of nepotism at its finest. Probably Richard Harmon did his sister a favor but it shows he didn't put any effort into his acting and it's dull and he comes off as bored and wanting to be anywhere other than the set of this movie.

I'd suggest anyone who wants to watch this to maybe take a nap ... you'd be more satisfied by that than this movie.