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Final Set

Final Set (French: Cinquième set) is a 2020 French sports drama film written and directed by Quentin Reynaud. The story centers on Thomas, a 37-year-old former tennis prodigy played by , who, despite declining physical fitness and a history of unfulfilled potential, enters the qualifiers for the to prove his worth to himself, his wife Eve (), and his mother Judith (). The film explores themes of obsession, redemption, and the passage of time through Thomas's grueling journey against younger competitors, including a rival who mirrors his younger self. Premiering at the Francophone Film Festival on August 30, 2020, Final Set received official selections at the and other international events before its wider release. Running for 105 minutes, the film blends intense sequences with personal drama, earning critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of the sport and Lutz's committed performance. It holds an 86% approval rating on based on seven reviews, praised for its tense exploration of broken dreams and .

Content

Plot

Final Set follows , a 37-year-old former tennis prodigy whose promising career was derailed by a severe sustained during his youth. Once hailed as France's next great hope in the sport, Thomas now grapples with the remnants of unfulfilled potential, living a away from the courts until he decides to make one final attempt at glory by entering the qualifying rounds of the at Roland-Garros. This bold choice comes against the backdrop of his declining and a history of surgical interventions on his shattered , setting the stage for a that examines the boundaries of human endurance. Central to the story are Thomas's strained personal relationships, particularly with his wife, , who is torn between supporting his passion and urging him to prioritize their family and stability. 's frustration stems from years of bearing the emotional and practical burdens of Thomas's , highlighting the toll his pursuit takes on their . Similarly, his mother, Judith—a former tennis player herself—provides a mix of emotional support and sharp conflict, reflecting on her own role in pushing him toward the sport as a and now questioning the wisdom of his comeback. These familial tensions underscore the film's exploration of , as Thomas seeks to reclaim a sense of purpose while confronting the regrets and sacrifices of his past. The plot builds around Thomas's journey through the grueling qualifying rounds, where he faces increasingly formidable opponents, including the young Damien Thosso, whose raw talent and drive mirror Thomas's own in his prime. This rivalry intensifies the central conflict, forcing Thomas to revisit his earlier triumphs and failures through interspersed flashbacks that reveal the physical and mental strains that ended his professional aspirations. As matches unfold on the clay courts of Roland-Garros, the narrative weaves themes of pushing against physical limits and the quest for personal vindication, creating mounting tension without resolving the outcome of his improbable bid.

Cast

The principal cast of Final Set features in the lead role as Thomas J. Edison, an aging player attempting a comeback at the qualifiers, whose determination anchors the film's exploration of and in . portrays Eve, Thomas's wife, who offers emotional support amid her own frustrations, highlighting the personal toll of an athlete's unyielding ambition. plays Judith Edison, Thomas's mother and former coach, infusing the narrative with emotional depth through her portrayal of familial pressure and unresolved expectations. Jürgen Briand embodies Damien Thosso, the young rival player whose prowess challenges Thomas, underscoring generational contrasts in the competitive world of . Supporting roles enrich the ensemble dynamic, with Tariq Bettahar as Marc, Thomas's steadfast friend and advisor, providing grounded camaraderie essential to the sports drama's themes of . Quentin Reynaud, the film's director, appears as JB, Thomas's doubles partner, adding authenticity from his own . Additional minor roles include Alexandre Angelo Bettanini, Yanaïs Laurent, and Victor Ouvrard, contributing to the vivid portrayal of the qualifying tournament's intensity. Casting choices significantly enhance the film's realism, as Lutz underwent intensive training—four hours daily for four months, split between physical conditioning and practice—to achieve a convincing athletic and on-court presence, transforming him from a novice to a believable pro. Scott , fluent in , delivers a bilingual performance that lends cultural authenticity to her character's authoritative yet tender role. This ensemble's collective preparation elevates the sports drama, making the characters' struggles feel palpably real without overshadowing the group's collaborative drive toward 's redemption arc.

Production

Development

Quentin Reynaud, a former competitive player, conceived Final Set (original title Cinquième set) drawing from his personal passion for the sport and the narratives of friends whose professional careers stalled due to or circumstance. He began developing the screenplay in , focusing on the psychological and physical toll of professional , particularly the overlooked struggles of lower-ranked players vying for qualification at major tournaments like the . The script, emphasizing authentic portrayals of the sport's financial precarity and grueling demands, was completed around 2018–2019 after several revisions to capture the gritty realism of real-life qualifiers. The project was backed by production companies 22h22 as the lead, alongside Apollo Films and Les Films du Cru, with key producers including Léonard Glowinski, Philippe Carcassonne, and François Clerc overseeing the independent French production. Early development faced challenges in securing tennis expertise and permissions to film at Roland Garros, which were ultimately resolved through support from French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli, ensuring accurate depiction of professional environments. Reynaud approached comedian for the lead role as early as 2015, recognizing his range from comedic roles to dramatic performances, though Lutz committed only after reviewing the finalized script in 2018–2019. This initial attachment helped solidify the project's vision of an aging player's improbable comeback, blending Reynaud's insights with Lutz's interpretive strengths during planning.

Filming

Principal photography for Final Set primarily occurred at Roland-Garros Stadium in , , where director Quentin Reynaud was authorized to shoot on the grounds, utilizing Court 14 to authentically depict qualifying matches. The production schedule unfolded over four weeks in , starting with the film's climactic final filmed in reverse chronological order to heighten dramatic tension as shooting progressed. To capture the intensity of tennis action, the crew emphasized real-time filming of matches with practical effects and body doubles, avoiding reliance on extensive for a grounded sense of realism. Lead actor , portraying the protagonist , underwent rigorous preparation, training four hours daily for four months—split between physical conditioning and tennis drills—to master the posture, movements, and endurance required for credible on-court performance. Technical hurdles arose in synchronizing actors with doubles during extended rallies, necessitating over seven takes for some of the 21 scripted points in key sequences, while outdoor shoots were subject to variability inherent to the . Vincent Mathias deployed multiple camera setups, including close-ups and ground-level angles, to dynamically cover while interweaving slow-motion highlights of rallies with close personal interactions, thereby balancing athletic spectacle and emotional intimacy. No significant on-set disruptions or incidents were documented during principal photography.

Release

Premiere and theatrical release

Final Set had its world premiere on August 30, 2020, at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival in France. The film's debut at this event marked its initial public screening, showcasing the tennis drama to an international audience amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The French theatrical release followed on June 16, 2021, distributed by and Apollo Films. This nationwide rollout allowed to reach domestic cinemas after its festival circuit, capitalizing on the authentic portrayal of professional , enhanced by filming permissions at the Roland-Garros stadium. Internationally, Final Set saw a U.S. release on August 27, 2021, through distributor Film Movement, with limited theatrical runs in select markets and additional festival screenings post-premiere. These screenings included appearances at events like the on September 29, 2020, and the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in the United States on March 13, 2021. Marketing efforts featured trailers that highlighted the intense drama and themes of perseverance, released through official channels to build anticipation. , with a running time of 105 minutes, was positioned for general audiences, suitable for viewers interested in sports narratives without restrictive content warnings. The significantly impacted the release strategy, delaying a planned wide theatrical debut from 2020 and redirecting focus to the festival circuit before the 2021 rollout. This shift aligned with broader industry trends where many productions pivoted to virtual and limited events to navigate closures and restrictions.

Home media and streaming

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in France by on October 20, 2021. A limited edition in the United States followed shortly after, distributed by Film Movement on October 19, 2021, and included special features such as a Q&A session with director Quentin Reynaud and actor , courtesy of and Unifrance. Since its 2021 digital rollout, Final Set has been available for purchase and rental on various video-on-demand (VOD) services, as well as subscription streaming platforms including , , and . These releases support subtitles in multiple languages, such as English, German, , and Spanish, enhancing accessibility for international audiences. In , streaming rights were prioritized for Canal+, where it remains a key offering on the platform. As of November 2025, Final Set continues to be widely available on subscription services across and , with no major 4K UHD upgrade released to date. The film's runtime remains consistent at 105 minutes in all home media formats, and it has appeared in occasional re-screenings to mark its enduring appeal in the sports genre.

Reception

Box office

Final Set grossed approximately $418,659 worldwide, with the entirety of its theatrical earnings coming from over a five-week run in 2021. In the , the film had a limited release starting June 16, 2021, ultimately attracting 52,808 admissions. Its opening day drew just 4,004 spectators across 226 screens, averaging a low 20 per venue, as cinemas continued to recover from the while facing stiff competition from high-profile blockbusters like Un tour chez ma fille and Sans un bruit 2. Internationally, earnings were negligible, with reported theatrical totals under $50,000 outside , including minimal U.S. exposure through virtual cinema platforms rather than . The film's niche focus as a French-language sports , requiring for non-French audiences, constrained its appeal in broader markets.

Critical response

Final Set received positive reviews from critics, earning an 86% approval rating on based on seven reviews, with a consensus praising its emotional depth and authentic portrayal of competition. On , the film holds a out of 10 rating from 1,626 user votes as of November 2025. Critics frequently highlighted Alex Lutz's performance as the aging tennis player , describing it as a "revelation" for its physical authenticity and emotional nuance, capturing the character's obsession and vulnerability with understated power. Reviewers also commended the film's realistic sequences, noting that the matches at Roland-Garros qualifiers felt genuinely tense and well-choreographed, elevating the sports beyond typical conventions. The movie's exploration of family dynamics added layers to its character study, with Lutz's interactions with his wife () and mother () providing poignant insights into personal sacrifices and support systems amid professional pursuit. One critic described it as "adroit at probing the obsessive of a star athlete," emphasizing the human elements intertwined with the athletic ones. However, some reviews pointed to criticisms of predictable plot tropes, such as reliance on clichés surrounding arcs and perseverance, which occasionally undermined deeper psychological . Audience reception has been particularly strong among tennis enthusiasts, who appreciated the film's accurate depiction of Roland-Garros and the rigorous training evident in the actors' portrayals, making it a compelling watch for fans of the . The themes of aging, , and defying physical decline resonated in the post-2020 era, mirroring broader societal reflections on and second chances. While Final Set received no major award nominations, it garnered festival acclaim as an official selection at the Francophone Film Festival and the , contributing to its recognition within French cinema's sports genre for blending intimate drama with competitive authenticity.

References

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    Lutz dépose la raquette au sol avec 53 673 spectateurs. Un score épouvantable au vu de son budget supérieur à 4 millions d'euros. Le distributeur, Apollo Films, ...