John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection

In 2001, Jean-Luc Godard stated, “Politics, cinema, and literature lie, sport doesn’t.” Taking its cue from Godard, this documentary explores the parallels between tennis and cinema. Director Julien Faraut delves into France's Institut National du Sport archives and discovers fascinating 16 mm. footage from the 1980s, including instructional films simulating the moves of legendary tennis pros. Focusing on John McEnroe—the mythical player famous for his dominant personality—in the 1984 French Open Tournament, Faraut studies the ways in which he orchestrates every move on the court. The combination of these materials with Mathieu Amalric’s witty narration, crystalizes into a refreshing meditative polemic.