Wimbledon
Peter Colt, an English tennis player in his thirties whose ranking slipped from 11th to 119th in the world, considers he never really had to fight for anything as his wealthy but all but close family easily put him through studies and allowed him to pursue his tennis ambitions, bravely exchanges jokes with his German sparring partner Dieter Prohl, in a similar position, but feels it's about time to admit he's getting too old to compete with fitter coming men (or boys) and intends, after a last Wimbledon, to take a job with the prestigious tennis club instead. Just then, by accident, he bumps into Lizzie Bradbury, the American rising star of female tennis, falls in love with her and finds her interest in him changes his entire perception, even gives him the strength to win again. But where will it lead them, especially when her overprotective father-manager Dennis Bradbury proves determined to nip their relationship in the bud, believing it detrimental to her career?
Working with a mid-range budget of $31.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $41.5M in global revenue (+34% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Wimbledon (2004) reveals precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Richard Loncraine's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Peter Colt, once ranked 11th, is now 119th and facing retirement. We see him in a shabby apartment, contemplating his fading tennis career and accepting a wild card entry to Wimbledon as his final tournament.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Peter accidentally enters the wrong hotel room and meets Lizzie Bradbury, a rising American tennis star. The immediate attraction disrupts his plan for a quiet, final tournament exit.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Peter and Lizzie share their first kiss and decide to pursue a relationship despite the risks to both their tournaments. Peter actively chooses love over playing it safe, entering a new world where he has something to lose., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Peter reaches the Wimbledon semifinals - a stunning achievement. He and Lizzie are both winning, both in love. This is a false victory: everything seems perfect, but the stakes have now risen enormously. The pressure intensifies and the relationship begins to show cracks., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lizzie loses her semifinal match, ending her Wimbledon run. She blames the relationship and tells Peter they need to end it so he can focus on the final. Peter loses what matters most - the relationship "dies." He faces the final alone, believing love and success are incompatible., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Lizzie comes to Peter before the final and tells him she loves him and believes in him. Peter realizes he doesn't have to choose - love made him better, not worse. He synthesizes what he learned: belief in himself, playing for something bigger than fear, and that taking the risk on love was worth it regardless of outcome., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Wimbledon's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Wimbledon against these established plot points, we can identify how Richard Loncraine utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Wimbledon within the comedy genre.
Richard Loncraine's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Richard Loncraine films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Wimbledon represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Richard Loncraine filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Richard Loncraine analyses, see Finding Your Feet, The Missionary and Firewall.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Peter Colt, once ranked 11th, is now 119th and facing retirement. We see him in a shabby apartment, contemplating his fading tennis career and accepting a wild card entry to Wimbledon as his final tournament.
Theme
Peter's brother Carl tells him, "You can't win if you don't believe you can win." This encapsulates the film's theme about self-belief, taking risks, and the balance between love and ambition.
Worldbuilding
Peter arrives at Wimbledon as an aging underdog. We meet his agent, his supportive family, and see him struggling financially. The world of professional tennis is established with its pressures, hierarchies, and Peter's status as a has-been getting one last shot.
Disruption
Peter accidentally enters the wrong hotel room and meets Lizzie Bradbury, a rising American tennis star. The immediate attraction disrupts his plan for a quiet, final tournament exit.
Resistance
Peter debates pursuing Lizzie while preparing for his matches. He wins his first-round match surprisingly. Lizzie's father Dennis aggressively manages her career and warns Peter away. Peter wrestles with whether romance will distract from his final tournament or give him something to play for.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Peter and Lizzie share their first kiss and decide to pursue a relationship despite the risks to both their tournaments. Peter actively chooses love over playing it safe, entering a new world where he has something to lose.
Mirror World
Peter and Lizzie's relationship deepens. She represents everything he needs to learn: believing in himself, taking risks, playing for something beyond fear. Their romance becomes the thematic heart of the story, teaching Peter that vulnerability and connection make him stronger, not weaker.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" delivers: an aging player on an impossible Cinderella run while falling in love. Peter keeps winning against all odds, playing the best tennis of his life. The romance with Lizzie blossoms. Both advance through rounds, training together, sneaking around Lizzie's controlling father. The fun of the underdog story and forbidden romance.
Midpoint
Peter reaches the Wimbledon semifinals - a stunning achievement. He and Lizzie are both winning, both in love. This is a false victory: everything seems perfect, but the stakes have now risen enormously. The pressure intensifies and the relationship begins to show cracks.
Opposition
The relationship creates conflict. Dennis forbids Lizzie from seeing Peter. Media pressure mounts. Lizzie begins losing her focus and her matches suffer. Peter feels guilty that he's hurting her career. The central tension emerges: can you have both love and professional success, or must you choose? Their flaws surface - his insecurity, her father's control over her life.
Collapse
Lizzie loses her semifinal match, ending her Wimbledon run. She blames the relationship and tells Peter they need to end it so he can focus on the final. Peter loses what matters most - the relationship "dies." He faces the final alone, believing love and success are incompatible.
Crisis
Peter prepares for the Wimbledon final in emotional darkness. He questions everything - whether the relationship was a mistake, whether he can win without Lizzie, whether he should have played it safe. The old Peter, full of doubt and fear, threatens to return.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lizzie comes to Peter before the final and tells him she loves him and believes in him. Peter realizes he doesn't have to choose - love made him better, not worse. He synthesizes what he learned: belief in himself, playing for something bigger than fear, and that taking the risk on love was worth it regardless of outcome.
Synthesis
The Wimbledon final. Peter plays with newfound confidence and purpose, combining his experience with the self-belief Lizzie taught him. He wins Wimbledon in a stunning upset. The finale resolves both the professional arc (championship) and romantic arc (he and Lizzie reunite, overcoming her father's objections).
Transformation
Final images show Peter and Lizzie married with children, watching tennis together. Peter narrates that he retired after Wimbledon, never played another match. The transformation is complete: from a fearful, fading player afraid to risk anything, to a man who chose love, believed in himself, won everything, and walked away fulfilled.