So, you thought the Beckham dynasty was all about football, fashion, and Posh Spice? Think again. Romeo Beckham, the 24-year-old model and former footballer, is stepping onto a different kind of court for his first major acting role, and it looks like he's serving up a compelling queer romance.
The first trailer for the French film Forty Love (or Quarante-Zéro in its original French) just dropped, and it places Beckham right in the middle of a tense, sun-drenched tennis rivalry that quickly blossoms into something more. He stars opposite the talented French actor Paul Kircher, and the chemistry already looks palpable.
Rivals on the Court, Lovers Off It?
The story follows Sacha (Kircher), a 21-year-old tennis prodigy who has dedicated his entire life to the sport under the watchful eye of his father. Their shared dream is to conquer the Paris circuit. But when a charismatic new rival, played by Beckham, arrives on the scene, Sacha's carefully controlled world is thrown into chaos. He's forced to confront an opponent he never trained for: love.
It’s a classic rivals-to-lovers setup, a trope we can always get behind, especially when it’s set against the stylish backdrop of professional tennis. The film comes from director Pierre-Ange Carlotti, a fashion photographer making his feature debut, so we can probably expect some serious aesthetics.
A Cheeky Nod to Tennis History
For the tennis fans among us, the trailer includes a delicious little easter egg. In one scene, Beckham's character says, “I don’t want to sound like I want to be his boyfriend,” a line that will ring a bell for anyone who follows the sport.
It’s a direct reference to a famous press conference moment from 2017, where Rafael Nadal, when asked what he admired about his rival Roger Federer, accidentally said, “I don’t want to look like I am, I want to be his boyfriend,” to the amusement of the press room. It’s a clever, winking nod to one of the sport's most famous (and often shipped) rivalries, and it fits perfectly in a film about the intense intimacy of competition.
Who's on the Team?
Beckham and Kircher are joined by a solid French cast, including Guillaume Canet and Benjamin Voisin. And in a touch of class, the legendary Catherine Deneuve makes a special appearance.
Forty Love is set to hit French cinemas in November. We'll be keeping a close eye out for a Dutch release date, because this is one match we don't want to miss.
