The sports film finds its limits when its stakes are not sufficiently developed, the characters disembodied and reduced to actors of a predictable scene. In other words, when the sole purpose of the film consists in the victory of the protagonist against the adversary, the spectator cannot find much interest in it. At best, he will forget it a few days, weeks later.
5 th Set is a film about tennis, telling the story of 37-year-old player Thomas Edisson , former semi-finalist of the Roland-Garros Grand Slam 17 years earlier, having never been able to recover from this failure, then that he was close to finding the final. To become the “great champion” that his mother saw in him. Only, he decides one day and that in spite of the physical complications of which he has been the victim before, to appear in the qualifications for the first round of Roland-Garros. The story of a journey to be reborn… Quentin Reynaudwas clever enough not to restrict his subject to the simple self-pity of an athlete on his fate, but on the contrary, to explain the reason for the psychological feelings of a character stuck in the past. To do this, he presents each perspective in turn: from the mother disillusioned by the failure of her son, to the woman sacrificing herself for her husband's career, to the intrusive questions of journalists at a press conference, etc.
Tennis handicaps the player since it affects the body of the character, even if it means destroying him physically and internally, but also his entourage: it causes the rupture of the family bond, like the loss of all financial security for an athlete relegated to sports accessories since less popular… Alex Lutz , brilliant actor, can only be impressive when he breaks down emotionally and reminds his mother that he is no longer the child hiding behind the walls of the tennis court so as not to reveal to others his emotions. 5th _Set also brilliantly evokes the overcoming of a condition established by the psychological and physical feelings of the player, mainly influenced by his external environment. As such, the sequences of matches are magnificently constructed, Reynaud choosing to film in particular with a handheld camera, the strikes of the players between dynamism and abstraction (see the passage this time filmed on a TV camera, useful since it demonstrates the paradox between the perspective of the public and that of the athlete).
Above all, tennis spectators can be a vector of psychological support for the player, the overwhelming gaze of Alex Lutz crossing that of Ana Girardot like that of Kristin Scott Thomaswas never more important than during the decisive match. Tennis seems to be lived as a passion by all, able to revive the elderly athlete at any time, by the strength of his determination and his courage. The young prodigies – even if they would not become great champions either – marvel at the match broadcast on TV, the son – of the racket of a father who no longer believes in him. Tennis is only beautiful when hearts beat wildly together, granting after psychological or physical suffering, the rebirth of a player. The introductory/final slow motion takes on its full meaning: the end is not victory over the other, but winning against oneself.
5th Set is a very beautiful sports film, captivating and touching. Although it is a bit rushed in its last quarter of an hour, the performances of the actors are impressive. Quentin Reynaud combines intimacy and realism, illustrating what tennis is like any sport: a physical and mental battle.
5th Set at the cinema on June 16, 2021 .
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