The first trailer
The first trailer for Forty Love, a French romantic tennis drama, has been released. BFMTV dates its release to Thursday, 15 October, while The Independent gives Friday, 16 October, so the exact day varies by outlet. The film is directed by fashion photographer Pierre-Ange Carlotti and stars Romeo Beckham, the second son of David and Victoria Beckham, who is 24 according to La Razón and The Independent and 23 according to BFMTV. Beckham plays a charismatic newcomer whose arrival disrupts the life of Sacha Gallo, a tennis star played by Paul Kircher who is training with his father to win a top title in Paris. Sacha has built his whole life around sport, but the rival unsettles everything he believed about competition and himself. The clip moves from on-court rivalry to intimacy, with a kiss and a bed scene shown under red light.
Cast and production
Guillaume Canet plays Sacha's father, who has always coached him, and Benjamin Voisin also appears in the cast. Catherine Deneuve appears to play Sacha's mother, according to The Independent. Beckham is the only actor in the film who does not speak French, so his scenes are subtitled for French viewers. Chi-Fou-Mi Productions makes the film, and BFMTV names Hugo Sélignac and Paco de Bary as its producers. Sélignac told Variety that the film sits between a romantic fable and a coming-of-age story about the demands of elite sport. He also described Carlotti's photography as carrying a distinctive tenderness, melancholy and strength, which he sees as a natural step into filmmaking.
Reactions and comparisons
The Independent reports that viewers compared the film to the series Heated Rivalry and to Challengers, the 2024 tennis love triangle starring Zendaya. Beckham's girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, responded to the trailer with emojis. His younger brothers Cruz and Harper commented with applause and hearts, according to La Razón. The Independent also notes that the script appears to reference a 2017 remark by Rafael Nadal about Roger Federer, and that Beckham's character gives a similar answer when a journalist asks about Sacha at a press conference. La Razón reports no sign so far of congratulations from Brooklyn, the eldest brother, while BFMTV describes an ongoing rift between Brooklyn and his parents.
Release dates and Beckham's background
La Razón says the film reaches cinemas on 17 November, with a world premiere in Paris, whereas BFMTV gives 25 November as the release date. Beckham's acting debut follows earlier careers in football and modelling. According to iefimerida, he started playing tennis at 12 after leaving football, when his coach praised his ability, and although he never turned professional he later moved into modelling. The Independent calls acting the latest career pivot for him. The trailer's clay-court scenes are set in Monte-Carlo, according to BFMTV.