The past two decades of men's tennis have seen perennial domination from The Big Three-- Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal. Among these, my preference has always been Federer, for the splendid magic he weaved on the court and his grounded persona off it.
A new documentary, Federer: Twelve Final Days, directed by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia, premiered at Tribeca before its Amazon release. The film appears to have been made according to Federer's archetype, offering a mellow representation of his life and career.
The film captures emotion from the filmmakers' extensive access to Federer and his contemporaries as they contemplate the closing chapter of an era. Despite this, the documentary may struggle to attract an audience unaware of the significance of Federer's career.
The film narrows its scope to the 12 days spanning Federer's retirement announcement and his final performance, emphasizing his constant control over his career. Federer's control is seen in the strategic decision surrounding his retirement, all on his terms.
Viewers looking for a "last hurrah" narrative may be disappointed as Federer: Twelve Final Days clings to a relaxed pace, mirroring the happenings behind Federer's retirement, void of suspense and surprises.
The documentary consists of Federer's farewell social media post preparations, press conferences, friendly meetings with rivals and uncommon glimpses into his personal life, including moments of his family nervously awaiting his announcement.
An attempt to infuse excitement comes about during the film's 15-minute coverage of tennis, but it falls short of expectations, especially compared to how tennis action was covered in productions like Netflix's Break Point.
A wave of emotions sweeps the documentary's final 10 minutes, featuring the reaction of Federer's peers to his retirement. These reactions prove more impactful than Federer's own emotional restraint, underlining the impact of his departure from tennis more than any comments he makes.
Despite attempts to add some biographical content about Federer and his classic footage, the documentary lacks substantial analysis of his significance in the sport. Federer: Twelve Final Days is a snapshot of a conclusion, specific in its appeal, hence scores low on universal appeal, but remains a must-watch for fans.
