In addition to the writing, the performances are part of its shining qualities. Shia LaBeouf is absolutely explosive and burns up the screen whenever he's present. It's the comeback role he needed, and it marks his most memorable performance since 2014's Fury. The only crime the film commits is that LaBeouf's McEnroe doesn't have enough screen time, playing second fiddle to Gudnason's Borg, who is more psychologically complicated but not nearly as intriguing as McEnroe. Nonetheless, Sverrir Gudnason is quietly effective, and this film should earn him a notable name in the U.S. Also, Stellen Skarsgård is excellent in a meaty supporting role as Borg’s tennis coach Lennart Bergelin, which marks his first role in a Swedish film since 2014’s In Order of Disappearance.

Borg vs. McEnroe may lack the artful stylization that makes Battle of the Sexes pop, but it more than makes up for any waning visual flair with its faultless editing, which moves with the speed of a tennis serve. The energetic pacing is met with an equally strong flow that bounces between protagonists like a tennis ball in a match and gracefully enters and exits flashbacks without shoehorning them. The story is nicely structured and adequately sets up the emotional stakes for both players, which adds to the intensity of the final Wimbledon match because the individual pressures can be felt from both sides. Even better, regardless of if you already know the outcome of the match, the way it plays out on screen will have you hanging from your seat.

All in all, Borg vs. McEnroe makes for some rousing cinema, but isn't without its flaws. The end all be all tennis movie has yet to be made, but with each new attempt, it seems we push closer to that kinda Mecca. Until then, Borg vs. McEnroe and Battle for the Sexes are the closest to perfection and should satisfy anyone's craving, tennis fan or not.

Rating: 4 sweatbands outta 5.