King Richard (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'King Richard' (directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green) is an entertaining & moving biopic about Richard Williams (Will Smith), father of tennis legends, Venus (Saniyya Sidney) & Serena Williams (Demi Singleton), and how he shaped them for superstardom. The film begins in the early 1990s & introduces us to Louisiana-born Richard, an overnight security guard living in Compton, California, his nurse wife, Oracene 'Brandy' (Aunjanue Ellis), & their 5 daughters; the two youngest being V & S. Knowing that V & S are phenoms in the making, he has drafted an elaborate timeline plan for his girls to take eventually over the world of tennis. Turned down over & over again, he finally piques the interest of coach, Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn).
But that union only lasts so long, what with Richard's refusal to bend from his own plan & his habitual side-coaching from off-court. Richard's word is usually the 'final' one; which also puts him at odds, more often than not, with his exasperated wife. All the while, Richard must also contend with young thugs who set their eyes on his stepdaughter, Tunde. Things start to look up when V & S impress famed tennis coach, Rich Macci (Jon Bernthal), who agrees to Richard's request of the whole family moving to Florida {& in a big house} so that the girls can train at his academy. The end game was always to ensure that V & S fulfill their potential. That said, his decisions put a strain, not only on Macci, but also on Brandy & the rest of the girls. Richard had a terrible upbringing and, one wonders if his checkered past & ego could ultimately hinder V & S's chances for success. The answer: not on your life.
As a tennis nut, I enjoyed & appreciated so much about this film. Not only is it a strongly-performed, well-written, well-shot sports biopic, but it also nails all of the insider tennis elements; something that other tennis films have failed to do. I'm reminded of the recent Battle of the Sexes film which provided good performances, but piss-poor tennis sequences. With V & S executive producing, this film may not be AS hard-hitting of their dad as it could have been. That said, I feel there is plenty provided in the film which, while clearly presenting him as a loving dad, also doesn't pain him as a saint. The most honest scene in the film occurs when Brandy, so powerfully portrayed by Aunjanue Ellis, levels him with pointed commentary on his narcissism.
Some of Richard's tactics, such as intending to abandon his girls 3 miles from home so as to teach them a lesson in humbleness, show his borderline abuse. There is also the question about how Venus' success was a validation, in Richard's eyes, of his odd training methods. And the film briefly mentions Richard's non-presence in the lives of his children from a previous marriage -- the man was NOT without flaws. Having said that, Will Smith provides much humanity in this role; capturing Richard's essence as a strong-willed provider who is fiercely proud of the scholastic & athletic efforts of his 5 girls. Smith is stellar; imbuing the requisite posture, accent & personality of a man who wanted to be nothing like the father he had growing up.
Perhaps better than him is Aunjanue Ellis, who commands the screen with her nuanced portrayal of a long-suffering wife who loves her husband on a certain level, but stays with him only long enough to provide both a stable presence for the family, and in the joint-pursuit of having their daughters' dreams fulfilled. Also amazing are Demi Singleton (who looks & speaks JUST like Serena) & particularly Saniyya Sidney as Venus. Not only do both actresses play tennis EXACTLY how the real V & S do {I was blown away by the mimicry}, but they also capture the childlike enthusiasm & spirited confidence of those two amazing women, as well. I also enjoyed Jon Bernthal, who brings levity as oft-peeved Rich Macci. Overall, 'King Richard' is a stellar biodrama with themes of perseverance, courage & humility about one incredible family that defied the odds to prevail in a world full of judgment.
But that union only lasts so long, what with Richard's refusal to bend from his own plan & his habitual side-coaching from off-court. Richard's word is usually the 'final' one; which also puts him at odds, more often than not, with his exasperated wife. All the while, Richard must also contend with young thugs who set their eyes on his stepdaughter, Tunde. Things start to look up when V & S impress famed tennis coach, Rich Macci (Jon Bernthal), who agrees to Richard's request of the whole family moving to Florida {& in a big house} so that the girls can train at his academy. The end game was always to ensure that V & S fulfill their potential. That said, his decisions put a strain, not only on Macci, but also on Brandy & the rest of the girls. Richard had a terrible upbringing and, one wonders if his checkered past & ego could ultimately hinder V & S's chances for success. The answer: not on your life.
As a tennis nut, I enjoyed & appreciated so much about this film. Not only is it a strongly-performed, well-written, well-shot sports biopic, but it also nails all of the insider tennis elements; something that other tennis films have failed to do. I'm reminded of the recent Battle of the Sexes film which provided good performances, but piss-poor tennis sequences. With V & S executive producing, this film may not be AS hard-hitting of their dad as it could have been. That said, I feel there is plenty provided in the film which, while clearly presenting him as a loving dad, also doesn't pain him as a saint. The most honest scene in the film occurs when Brandy, so powerfully portrayed by Aunjanue Ellis, levels him with pointed commentary on his narcissism.
Some of Richard's tactics, such as intending to abandon his girls 3 miles from home so as to teach them a lesson in humbleness, show his borderline abuse. There is also the question about how Venus' success was a validation, in Richard's eyes, of his odd training methods. And the film briefly mentions Richard's non-presence in the lives of his children from a previous marriage -- the man was NOT without flaws. Having said that, Will Smith provides much humanity in this role; capturing Richard's essence as a strong-willed provider who is fiercely proud of the scholastic & athletic efforts of his 5 girls. Smith is stellar; imbuing the requisite posture, accent & personality of a man who wanted to be nothing like the father he had growing up.
Perhaps better than him is Aunjanue Ellis, who commands the screen with her nuanced portrayal of a long-suffering wife who loves her husband on a certain level, but stays with him only long enough to provide both a stable presence for the family, and in the joint-pursuit of having their daughters' dreams fulfilled. Also amazing are Demi Singleton (who looks & speaks JUST like Serena) & particularly Saniyya Sidney as Venus. Not only do both actresses play tennis EXACTLY how the real V & S do {I was blown away by the mimicry}, but they also capture the childlike enthusiasm & spirited confidence of those two amazing women, as well. I also enjoyed Jon Bernthal, who brings levity as oft-peeved Rich Macci. Overall, 'King Richard' is a stellar biodrama with themes of perseverance, courage & humility about one incredible family that defied the odds to prevail in a world full of judgment.