Watch John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection

John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection is a 2018 documentary film directed by Julien Faraut that explores the career of legendary tennis player, John McEnroe. The film immerses the viewers in the tennis world of the 1980s as McEnroe dominated the game with his unique style of play. The film bridges the gap between sports documentary and art house cinema, presenting the highs and lows of McEnroe's career through a visually stunning and intimate approach. The film's footage is sourced from the archives of French television, shot during the 1984 French Open.

The movie shows the genius of McEnroe's tennis skills, and how he was unlike any other player of his era. It delves into the perfectionism that McEnroe brought to the game, and how his personality was a double-edged sword that could either inspire or destroy his own performance.

The film is not just about McEnroe himself, but also features interviews with some of his competitors, such as Ivan Lendl, who McEnroe had notorious on-court battles with. Their rivalry is presented as one of the most iconic in sports history, and the documentary analyzes their contrasting styles of play.

Mathieu Amalric serves as the film's narrator, and the audience is taken on a journey through McEnroe's career and mind as he reflects upon his struggles, his mindset, and his doubts. The movie is not a conventional sports documentary that just highlights the facts and statistics, but instead, it's a personal portrait.

The film features slow-motion scenes of McEnroe hitting tennis balls, and the cinematography is astounding. The use of repetition and slow-motion shots highlights McEnroe's obsessive nature, and the shots of him sweating and grunting are presented as almost animalistic, adding to the intensity of his game.

One remarkable aspect of the film is the sound effects. The sound of McEnroe's tennis ball hitting the racket is amplified, and the audience can hear every grunt, squeak of sneakers, and heavy breath as the players move around the court. The sound design adds an extra layer of intensity to the film and brings the audience inside the game.

The film doesn't shy away from showing McEnroe's less flattering moments such as him arguing with the umpire, shouting at the crowd or even himself. These instances are captured in close-up shots, giving the viewer a sense that they are sitting next to McEnroe himself.

The editing of the film is also innovative, featuring split-screen shots that show McEnroe from different angles as he serves or hits a backhand. The sound effects are once again featured prominently, and the editing creates an almost hypnotic effect. It feels nostalgic, almost like watching a tennis match from another era.

John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection is not just a documentary about a great tennis player but also an exploration of the sport itself. Through McEnroe's style, the documentary highlights the importance of the human element in sports, and how it can be the difference between winning or losing.

The film's running time is just under 90 minutes, making it easy to watch in one sitting. It's a captivating exploration of a sports icon and a love letter to the sport of tennis. Even those who are not usually interested in sports documentaries will find themselves drawn into the story.

In conclusion, John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection is a visual and auditory masterpiece that transcends the genre of a typical sports documentary. The film creates an immersive experience that will make the viewer feel like they are a part of the tennis world of the 1980s. It's an essential watch for tennis fans, and casual sports viewers will also find themselves drawn into the story.

John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 82.