About Love Means Zero

"Love Means Zero" is a 2018 documentary film that focuses on the life and career of famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri. The plot revolves around Bollettieri, his intense training methods, and his tumultuous relationships with his students - most notably tennis legend Andre Agassi. This compelling story probes into the darker side of the sport, presenting a stark portrayal of the sacrifices made for success and the emotional toll of relentless ambition.

Making / Production

Directed by Jason Kohn, Love Means Zero was produced by Showtime Documentary Films and presented at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017 before its wide release in 2018. The film uses a rich array of archive footage, interviews, and emotionally charged encounters to bring to life this complex narrative.

Actors

• Nick Bollettieri: The central figure, Bollettieri himself, is presented candidly as he reflects on his controversial life and career. His raw, unfiltered portrayal is both riveting and revealing.
• Andre Agassi: Archival footage and interviews paint an in-depth portrait of Agassi's relationship with Bollettieri. This creates a rich tapestry of emotions and insights into their unique bond.
• Carling Bassett-Seguso: As one of Bollettieri's former students, her insight helps frame the intense and often brutal environment at the academy.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film features a wealth of unseen footage and interviews from the private collections of both Bollettieri and his students.
• Besides tennis, Bollettieri also coached other sports like soccer and handball earlier in his career. This diverse background is touched upon in the film.
• Bollettieri's tennis academy, which is prominently showcased in the film, has produced several world number one tennis players, including Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova.

Quotes

• "You can love me or hate me, but I did my job." - Nick Bollettieri
• "In this business, love means nothing." - Nick Bollettieri

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's music was composed by Saul Simon MacWilliams. The score subtly encapsulates the emotional tensions and hard-hitting revelations of the film.
• While the movie does not have a traditional pop soundtrack, it deftly uses the power of its musical score to underscore the high-stakes drama playing out on-screen.