King Richard
Dir: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Cast: Will Smith, Saniyya Sidney, Aunjanue Ellis, Demi Singleton
Rating: 3.5/5
You guessed right. This is the story of how Richard Williams coached two of his daughters, Venus and Serena, to achieve the pinnacle of Tennis glory. Recognized today as two of the most legendary tennis players in history, Venus and Serena’s champions-in-the-making story is one of hardships, sacrifices, and struggles – a triumph of sheer perseverance, talent, and effort against all odds.
Reinaldo Marcus Green’s narrative from a script by Zach Baylin concentrates on their father Richard Williams’ ( Will Smith) driven, complicated and obstinate coaching and showmanship that eventually garnered funding and success for the two prodigies. In a manner of speaking this is also Venus and Serena’s origin story.
King Richard a biopic of sorts, does well to capture Richard Williams`s path to success, and the ‘tough love out of a desire for his children to have a better life’ comes across quite fruitfully. But given his much-publicized latter-day notoriety, the script, whittled down to suit the Williams sisters’ (read Producers’) tastes, come across as a trifle tame. Given that there were three other daughters living in the house, it`s a bit unbelievable that sibling rivalry, jealousy, and family politics do not show up here.
Richard Williams was a hustler with a never-give-up stubbornness that related to a plan he had for his unborn children. Richard and wife Oracene’s (Aunjanue Ellis) commitment to giving Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton) every opportunity to succeed in a tennis world that seemed like a different universe from the Compton neighborhood in which they were raised, is now stuff of legend. The movie captures this aspect with gritty, ensnaring heart.
This film takes us through the foundation of Venus and Serena’s careers and the young actors playing the two prodigies do an excellent job. Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit makes the sporting sequences look realistic and the family drama has a tenacious, unpretentious poignancy that is intimately touching in its sweep. We even hear Will Smith singing a Kenny Rogers song (The Gambler) and the closing credits show actual clips of Richard and his family and their impressive achievements. The movie, running the stretch at almost 2 and 1/2 hours, doesn’t feel too long or tedious and that is an achievement in itself. Will Smith towers over the rest of the cast embodying Williams in a manner that is totally convincing – undoubtedly an award-winning turn!
