Final Set DVD Review
“Final Set” is a winning sports drama.
2020’s “Final Set” is a French sports drama that revolves around an aging tennis player named Thomas J. Edison. In his youth, he was touted as the next big French tennis star, but his career has faltered and he’s sustained many injuries over the years. At age 37, Thomas is continuing onward even though many think he’s washed up. Is he determined? Is he selfish? Is he delusional? Perhaps all of the above. Regardless, he’s trying his hand at qualifying for the French Open.
Off the court, Thomas is a father and a husband who is clashing with his wife Eve who has had to put her career dreams on hold while he continues his tennis career. She wants more out of life. Thomas also has a difficult relationship with his mother Judith who has been overly critical for his entire life. She has put too much pressure on him in her attempt to turn him into a professional tennis player.
As Thomas leaves it all on the court, a new tennis star is on the rise with the 17 year old player Damien Thosso (played by real-life tennis star Jürgen Briand). Damien reminds Thomas of himself and, of course, they are fated to face off against one another.
Written and directed by Quentin Reynaud, “Final Set” is strangely similar to this year’s “Challengers,” but “Final Set” is the far better film. Despite falling victim to the standard sports movie cliches (especially those involving a fading athlete), Reynaud has crafted an intimate and grounded character study about a tennis player on and off the court while also exploring the cruelty of time that every athlete faces. Although Thomas is the central character of the story, both Eve (his wife) and mother (Judith) also have fleshed out characters. Not only do we see the impact that they have had on the life of Thomas, but we see how Thomas has impacted their lives. The dynamic between these 3 characters is the real heart of the film outside of the tennis quest by Thomas.
The character work is strengthened by an outstanding cast. Alex Lutz really commits to the role and disappears into the character of Thomas. Ana Girardot brings a great deal of depth to Eve while veteran actress Kristin Scott Thomas classes up the film as the controlling Judith.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1. Grade: B
Audio Track: French 5.1 Surround and French Stereo. Grade: B+
Extras include trailers for “Final Set,” “My King,” “Curiosa,” “Corpus Christi,” and a half-hour “Final Set Q&A” on Zoom with Maddie Whittle of the Film at Lincoln Center and director Quentin Reynaud and star Alex Lutz.
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