This is physical overexertion in Andy’s spirit but in written format!...
(A long rather tenacious attempt at a review - read on if you’re willing!... but Andy is the determined one!!)
A truly inspirational man.
Andy Murray: A true gladiator in the sport and realm surrounding tennis. This biopic documentary proofs only that, yet with a powerfully and deeply under rooted insight into the gentleman’s own psyche. Fairly sensitive, highly empathetic is this self portrayal of his journey through tumultuous times regarding his own fitness and perhaps rightfully more so, his mental health. All the efforts involved behind the scenes, in refortifying his strength (in all the many approaches) and the detail revealed by all the surrounding support is clearly evident and delightfully enriching.
Revealing to us an accurate and rather real and insightful angle, this footage somehow lightly unravels the devolution or rather the regression of the professional life and mindset of Andy at such a devastating and pivotal point, at the peak of his career. It’s all revealed as the trials and tribulations of such repeated strain; be that around the injuries he’s faced and the repeated cycles of rehabilitation, or I think more so, within the newfound knowledge of potentially having to succumb to permanent partial paralysis in his hip, and the realisation of this.
I find it truly fascinating, the speed and efficiency of an athlete at the top of their game, but in that, their way of thinking. This documentary positively shows us the way of Andy’s feeling towards progressing or retiring, and the heartache of making such decisions. It displays to me all of what’s in the process of him again reaching or attaining similar hit targets in regards to fitness, after all his set backs. After all, we’ve seen him prove his resilience time and time again on the court. It’s enlightening to discover what his journey has truly been like instead of only being exposed to superficial dramatisations, updating us here and there.
A. Murray’s intensity of expression through tennis is revealing, but through the vision of this footage, is made truthfully apparent, and is like having access effectively to a back pass; which shows us his most honest and playfully punchy character. It tells us in where his passion lays and where it stems from, and it is so highly witnessed here like it is in his game, but more for in his struggle and for me, that didn’t always show. Of course, like many personas the media can gain control of, his was one of greatly pressured expectation along with an unease for putting a negative spin on his more flippant personality. It is admittedly easy to adhere to media driven captions that display imperfections as a result of frustration and anger but when you delve into the heart of this one and this highly profound athlete, I can’t help but begin to feel moved (and I’m sure you might too) by his commitment and attitude around tennis.
Whilst being deeply entertaining, it also reveals to us Andy’s lighter shades in his personality; when combating the forces of natural however super imposed wear and tear, over general uninflicted ageing, when deliberating procedures and rehabilitation techniques with his fellow team and close supporters.
This biopic describes to us his reasonings and his justifications. Purely through his passion and devotion does he succeed in building back up his drive and strength physically as well as emotionally, and that’s why I rate him world class. His attire does not deminish in this feature, it only strengthens his image and his values and that’s also why I rate it.
I see ’Resurfacing’ to really showcase his ragged determination and also Murray’s misery in having to deal with the gravitational consequence of apparent yet very little neglect where his figure is concerned. Disbelief and discontent are two very powerful emotions to feel when you’re suddenly thrust out of rankings and it must effect your motivation tremendously, so you can’t help but want to commend the man on bravery for continuing his efforts to fight against inaction! Simply switching from, drive mode to, feeling like he must be switching careers all together, must have been a very troublesome time but it has moulded him into the man he is today. Significantly, it makes for the challenges ahead and those he still faces each day from here to change its course with the right amount of due force and hopefully, pressure. He should be happy for the decisions he then makes, if he involves his newly realised passion for sharing the sport’s attributes with those gone and those to come. It’s just what Tim Henman had to realise and so shall he; albeit in harsher circumstances.
Murray’s most forbearing truth to face for me (even going on to further greatness) would surely have to be in the latter of what I name his ‘strains’: (A. Being physical & B. Being mental). I believe the attributes associated in this documentary to his personal plight are less physical hindrances (although still obviously regarded highly significant in recuperation) and more to do with his emotional thwart in the last couple of years (after getting the brunt of physical pain). As difficult to deal with as that was, I found it most easy to sympathise with this pain of uncertainty as well as the actual pain in the hip, but through this doc I begun to understand the heightened level of angst and turmoil the notion of never playing a single competitive match again in his career must be like from his perspective; especially going from world number one to where he found himself over the course of this program (2017-19).
Andy Murray is an honourable character; one to whom many should pay their respects but also admire in the resilience he displays in whatever position he finds himself in when made vulnerable. Through this documentary, I delve into the inner workings of a sportsman committed to his game, to his practice and to his role, even through great adversity. Largely in body but surprisingly in tone and psychoanalysis, does he re-emerge victorious over his doubts of continuing on his path to greatness. It’s not over for him yet though, and no doubt from the viewers perspective, he has no plans of stopping on his quest for a packed narrative where by his tales of success long extend the expectations of many. I only hope he continues with more assertion over his anxieties and presses for more support over prolonging his transition away from playing tennis, to promoting it like he does such a good job of already. I look forward like many of the big names, to be hearing their voice come through on styles of play and commentating on matches, as I especially do for Roger Federer (if he so kindly chooses to share with us). But for now, I still wish Andy Murray the continued success and ease of pain during this pivotal time in his career!
The SIR AM (SIR Andy Murray/serum) to get up and go early - is the antidote, but also the flaw of his success. But don’t put his ailment to bed, to rest, just yet...There’s Greatness still, in the king Counterpuncher of a generation!... but do take it easy old chap. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed.