The Break

Pro tennis provides many classic sports moments, but the few tennis-oriented movies (PLAYERS, SPRING FEVER, RACQUET) were badly strung sex 'n' jocks cliches. Real-life net pro Vincent Van Patten, actor son of longtime screen performer Dick Van Patten, decided it was time to do the BULL DURHAM of the courts, based on his own impressions of the game. For seven years he worked on THE BREAK, writing, producing, and starring in the filmed-in-Florida feature. But this is a weak serve.

Van Patten portrays washed-up former US Open superstar Nick Irons. Crushed with gambling debts, Irons accepts a deal from wealthy bookie Robbins (Martin Sheen) to coach his teen son Joel...