John McEnroe: In the Realm of Perfection

The film "L'Empire de la perfection" (2018) is an immersive documentary essay on tennis legend John McEnroe at the height of his career, showcasing his strive for perfection, frustrations, and the hardest loss of his career. The film features a mix of archival footage from Gil de Kermadec's 1966 film "Les bases techniques du tennis" and highlights McEnroe's unique playing style. Mathieu Amalric narrates the documentary, which includes brief clips from Mozart's "Amadeus" to contrast McEnroe's intensity with artistic expression. The final act focuses on the 1984 Roland-Garros French Open final between McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, recreating key moments of the match.