Movie

Plot

Paul Bettany plays Peter Colt, a journeyman British professional tennis player ranked 119th in the world. He earns a wildcard spot to the The Championships, Wimbledon. Tired of it all, he resolves to quit after this last tournament, and even gets a job to teach tennis at a country club. However, as Wimbledon begins, Peter meets and falls in love with Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst), a young American tennis pro. As their love grows, Peter's game gets better and better, winning his semi-final match in straight sets while Lizzie loses hers, having lost her focus after a night together with Peter. Peter begins playing the final match against Jake Hammond, an arrogant American star who Peter has already had an argument with involving Lizzie, but finds himself outclassed. Lizzie, on her way home to America, sees an interview in which Peter apologizes, and comes back to Centre Court. With Lizzie cheering him on, Peter wins the title, and retires. He and Lizzie marry and Lizzie goes on to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon twice. In the last scene Peter and Lizzie are seen training their two little children on a New York rooftop.

Trivia

Pat Cash was the tennis advisor on set and trained the actors.
Some scenes were filmed during the Championships in 2003 between matches. It is the only time in the history of the tournament that this has been allowed.
At the time of the film, and as of 2007, there is no retractable roof on Centre Court. However, such a roof is in the planning stages, and construction is expected to be complete in time for the 2009 Wimbledon.
The actors served with real tennis balls. All others were added digitally.
The London Zoo's entrance was used for the entrance to Wimbledon.
According to the DVD commentary, Maria Sharapova was turned down to play one of Lizzie's opponents because she looked too much like Kirsten Dunst from a distance.
The storyline of Colt echoes that of Goran Ivaniševic's winning of the 2001 Wimbledon Championships after entering through a wildcard seed.
The lead role was originally intended for Hugh Grant.
At one point, Reese Witherspoon was supposed to play the female lead.
Kirsten Dunst underwent serious physical training to prepare for this role.
Klaus Badelt was attached to the film but he couldn't finish the job because Catwoman (2004) had to undergo re-shoots after testing poorly with screeners.
Scenes for the film were filmed during the Wimbledon tournament 2003. The actors would walk out on court at the beginning or end of a match as though they were really competing. The officials and spectators were actual tennis officials and spectators, rather than extras. It is the only time in the history of the tournament that this has been allowed.
Getting the actors to play professional-looking tennis proved much more difficult than anticipated. Eventually, it was decided to film them performing the strokes and digitally add the ball afterwards.
Scenes were filmed on Brighton beach between 1 September 2003 and 6 September 2003 and involved 250 extras hired from the local public.
In a shot of the film that was filmed in Brighton, the door on the rounded corner of the houses is in fact painted on.
The actors actually did their own serves with real tennis balls.
The scenes showing the public queuing up outside Wimbledon were in fact shot outside London's Zoo, simply because it looks more interesting.
Ian Somerhalder was considered for the role of Jake Hammond but was rejected by the director.
Peter’s car was a Porsche 'Jelly' Mould, which is quite rare.

Quotes

Lizzie Bradbury: Hit this one, and I'll sleep with you. [ball hits an official] Too bad. You could've used the workout.

Lizzie Bradbury: Good thing you didn't get the wrong window.
Peter Colt: I did, but your dad's a very quick shag.

Peter Colt: [after seeing Lizzie in shower] Yes, goodbye, and may I say good body? Luck! Oh, shit! I meant... shit! [goes towards a door and opens it] Ah, lovely kitchen.

Lizzie Bradbury: [Lizzie points to other door] That way.

Lizzie Bradbury: 'Cause I think a little fooling around can be really good for your game. You know, help you relax.
Peter Colt: Um, I'm not sure I've done enough reasearch to have a definitive opinion.
Lizzie Bradbury: That's very sad.
Peter Colt: Yes, it is, isn't it
Lizzie Bradbury: It is... very sad...
Peter Colt: Don't get me wrong: I'm [deep breath] very interested in doing the necessary research. Very intered in in doing the necessary research. Are you?
Lizzie Bradbury: I'm interested.

Mary Carillo: What do you attribute this remarkable run to?
Peter Colt: Well, I had a bit of luck against Tom Cavendish in the quarters, and I played a more focused game, passionate game... But I suppose the real answer to your question... is... well, love. Really.
Mary Carillo: Love of the game?
Peter Colt: Yeah, love of the game... But listen, you may have read about Lizzie Bradbury and myself being... involved, so to speak... but I'd like to take this opportunity to set the record straight. I read the papers this morning, and they seemed to imply that Lizzie had let me down in some way. That's just not the case. The truth is I let her down. I let her down, and for that, I will always be truly sorry. Listen, I'm not in the habit of pouring my heart out on television. Or pouring my heart out at all... forgive me. Lizzie Bradbury... Lizzie is the reason that I'm here today. That's all I really came here to say, so thank you.

Peter Colt: [voiceover] Nothing could possibly match that moment. It's everything you wait a lifetime for. That dream finally come true. What else could ever come close? Except this, maybe. [Seeing his child playing tennis with Lizzie] I did take a job at a club, but teaching young kids like my own, not old ladies. And I love it.
Lizzie Bradbury: I beat you!
Peter Colt: Rubbish, the ball was in, it was... [His child hits him with a raquet] Ow! [voiceover] Well most of the time. A part of me was afraid my life would be over if I wasn't playing tennis. The truth is, it was really just beginning. Oh, and by the way, Lizzie did win the US Open. And Wimbledon. Twice.

Peter Colt: [Overviewing London with Lizzie] One day, none of this will be ours.

Lizzie Bradbury: Why are you running behind me?
Peter Colt: I'm just enjoying the view.

Lizzie Bradbury: Having a tough day?
Peter Colt: Well, you know, disastrous.

Lizzie Bradbury: I said I love you.
Peter Colt: See, that's very good news. I thought I was alone in the love department.
Lizzie Bradbury: Well, turns out you've got company.

Lizzie Bradbury: Go out there and decide who you are.
Peter Colt: Who might that be?
Lizzie Bradbury: It might be a winner.

Lizzie Bradbury: You're doing so great, you just have to...
Peter Colt: ...Keep winning.
Lizzie Bradbury: So keep winning!

[Watching TV and Lizzy and Peter See Lizzy's father on Screen]
Peter Colt: It's surprising how much that actor looks like your father... [realizing it is] Oh, shit. [the camera pans on to the fron of a building] and how much that building looks like...
Peter Colt & Lizzie Bradbury: [Realizing] SHIT!