Directed by:
Reinaldo Marcus GreenScreenplay:
Zach BaylinCinematography:
Robert ElswitComposer:
Kris BowersCast:
Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Daniele Lawson, Layla Crawford (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California's abandoned tennis courts - rain or shine - the girls are shaped by their father's unyielding commitment and their mother's balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. Based on the true story that will inspire the world, King Richard follows the uplifting journey of a family whose unwavering resolve and unconditional belief ultimately deliver two of the world's greatest sports legends. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
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Reviews (6)
Except for the bigoted and aspiring fascist chocopapa, it was actually pretty good. Four stars might be a bit much, but I just love these boilerplate "from zero to (black) hero" stories. I had a bit of a problem with what the film was actually trying to convey. The experience is mostly taken care of by the story itself, which is a kind of maybe even a slightly fairy tale sports drama. Then again – Will Smith really makes an effort here, and he screams for that bent-backed Oscar until it's not pretty (and he’ll probably get it, too). While there's more than a healthy dose of pathos (not the good kind, unfortunately), there are still a few passages where the whole thing manages to be properly punchy and suitably epic. It's certainly not the film of the year for me, but those considerable Oscar ambitions are understandable given the current social discourse. Yes, there are much stronger films in this genre, and it probably wouldn't stand a chance in a closer Oscar competition (it's not particularly great in terms of craftsmanship or screenwriting). But when I think about it after almost two and a half hours, I actually liked it quite a lot. I'll admit that Jon Bernthal had something to do with that; he's absolutely divine here. [80%]
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I like these bottoms-to-top sports dramas a lot, and this one definitely ranks as one of my favorites. Will Smith is perfect, his life wisdom and advice are a balm to the soul, the emotions are functional, the dramatic scenes are steamy (the police visit was great), and the tennis scenes were entertaining. A powerful and incredible story. I enjoyed it more than I would have hoped. 8/10.
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A smart biopic for the whole family; thematically appealing, well scripted, accessible and well acted. It's considerably more a feel-good-vibe movie than an ambitious and raw drama, but it's so skillfully made, with so many worthwhile and entertaining scenes, that most viewers will gobble it up like a raspberry. Will Smith gives one of the best performances of his rich career.
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Serena and Venus as the perfect projects of the brilliant strategist and visionary Richard. Nothing against it, but the film is too respectful of the King's gloriole. Although it tries to problematize his motivations and the execution of the divine plan for the "two Jordans" several times, it always ends up slipping into schematic adoration. Green isn't an inventive director. He just repeats a learned pattern of punches and when he has to do a big smash at the end to win the game, he hits it out of bounds. Partly because Venus is so absent-minded throughout the narrative that one can't quite sympathize with her efforts. Smith is literally begging for an Oscar in every scene and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets one. It's a similarly digestible and pre-chewed morsel as Green Book was some time ago. Thanks, but I'm sticking with Borg vs. McEnroe. And if you are looking for emotion and psychology, get Untold: Breaking Point. That film speaks about the essence of tennis about a thousand times better and more dramatically than this mess. P.S. There's hardly a film where Bernthal appears and doesn't add a star on top. Give him a big role already.
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I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story of the legendary Williams sisters. I hadn’t paid as much attention to Venus and Serena over the years, but you’d have to be pretty out of touch not to know their incredible story. Raising two talented girls from a tough neighborhood and turning them into global tennis icons is no small feat, and it’s a story that deserves to be told. I’d heard all sorts of things about their father over the years, but Will Smith’s portrayal really brought him to life in a way that made it all click for me. It’s a wonderfully crafted film, full of biographical details that I love in a movie. All in all, a great cinematic experience.
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