Script review: “Court 17” by Elad Ziv
An endless volley of a timeloop
The scriptreading community at ScriptReader.studio recently delved into “Court 17,” a fascinating script by Elad Ziv that clinched the 2nd spot on the 2022 Blacklist. This review will capture the multitude of perspectives from our team’s discussion.
Our team of 100% human readers leave feedback and we discuss our findings each week but we use AI to help summarise and draft our thoughts and post here.
Synopsis: Court 17 centres around an over-the-hill tennis pro trying to salvage her career. She finds herself stuck in a time loop, endlessly replaying the first round of the US Open against one of the top players in the world. The only way to break the cycle is to win the match, a daunting task considering how overmatched she is.
Character Dynamics: One of the most compelling aspects of the script is its rich characterisation and the dynamics between its characters. The parallelism between Noa, the protagonist, and her rival Anya was praised, with their respective relationships with their fathers serving as a poignant backdrop to their careers. The script dives deep into these relationships, creating multifaceted characters. The dynamic between Noa and Eric, described by one reader as akin to a sibling relationship, was a standout, offering comedic potential and a heartfelt connection.
Groundhog Day and Tennis: The ‘Groundhog Day’ mechanism adds an intriguing layer to the story but also presents some challenges. While some found it an interesting twist, others felt it was not entirely resolved or explained. The repetitive nature of the tennis matches added to the cyclical feeling of the narrative, which may appeal more to tennis enthusiasts than to a general audience. The extensive tennis scenes were seen by some as potentially alienating to those less interested in the sport.
Execution and Pacing: The execution received mixed reviews. While the script’s premise is exciting and promises depth, some found it slow and weighed down by unnecessary descriptions. The dialogue, at times, felt stilted and out of sync with the world the script was trying to build. Noa’s reaction to the time loop was perceived as underwhelming, with a lack of urgency or concern that might have better gripped the reader. Character motivations revealed late in the script seemed to baffle rather than intrigue.
Character Arcs: Noa’s journey of rediscovering her love for tennis, rather than just pursuing victory, is central to the story. This theme of finding joy rather than just winning resonated well with readers. However, the understanding that this was the lesson she had to learn seemed somewhat predictable. The development of secondary characters like Roxanna and Eric could have been richer, adding more layers to the narrative.
Comparative Insights: Comparisons to other time loop narratives like “Groundhog Day” and “Before I Fall” were inevitable, with some readers feeling that “Court 17” didn’t fully capitalise on the possibilities of its premise. There was a desire for more significant exploration of Noa’s relationships and personal growth. The script’s repetitive nature, mirroring the repetitive nature of tennis, was both a strength and a potential pitfall, depending on perspective.
Market Potential: Despite its challenges, “Court 17” has undeniable cinematic potential. Its authentic tennis details, coupled with well-executed on-court tension, would appeal to sports drama enthusiasts. For broader appeal, adjustments to pacing and deeper character development are suggested. Imagining actors like Scarlett Johansson as Noa and a young, fresh face for Anya could bring this script to life, especially with a strong directorial vision.
Conclusion: “Court 17” offers a unique blend of sports drama and magical realism, wrapped in an emotional character-driven narrative. While it has areas needing refinement, particularly in pacing and character depth, its core story of passion, redemption, and the love of the game holds significant promise.
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