KING RICHARD REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Sisters Venus and Serena Williams are two of the most famous tennis players so it may come as a bit of a surprise that King Richard focuses more on their father and how he inspired them rather than their success. However, whilst watching the film, it’s easy to understand why the sisters wanted a film made about their father. 

Based on the true story that will inspire the world, King Richard follows the journey of Richard Williams (Will Smith), an undeterred father instrumental in raising Venus (Saniyya Sydney) and Serena Williams (Demi Singleton), two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever. Driven by a clear vision of their future and using unconventional methods, Richard has a plan that will take Venus and Serena from the streets of Compton, California to the global stage as legendary icons.

Since its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in September, King Richard has been well received by critics who praised Smith’s performance and the film’s inspiring true story which explores how Venus and Serena became the tennis champions they are known as today through their father’s determination. Although I’m not the biggest fan of tennis or any sport for that matter, I still thoroughly enjoyed what director Reinaldo Marcus Green and screenwriter, Zach Baylin, have created with King Richard, which, for the majority of its 138 minute runtime, is rarely anything less than engrossing and entertaining. 

It can be quite a difficult task to make a sports-based drama as, because there’s been so many, it’s easy for the film to feel formulaic, cliched and predictable. Fortunately, that’s not the case with King Richard. Although a lot of people will know who Venus and Serena Williams are, there will be those who aren’t aware that they credit their successful tennis career to their father, Richard, who faced hardships growing up and wanted the best for his daughters. What surprised me the most was that Venus and Serena actually had three other sisters, Tunde (Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew), Isha (Danielle Lawson) and Lyndrea (Layla Crawford). One of the most poignant themes of King Richard is family which is clearly captured in the film and the chemistry between the Williams family. Richard clearly wants the best for his daughters which is evident throughout the film. What’s most admirable about him is that he frequently reminds Venus and Serena to remain humble, despite their increasing success. They also make the surprising yet respectable decision to turn down a $3 million contract as the agent hasn’t seen Venus play. This is proof that the young tennis players cared more about the sport rather than earning a lot of money.

There’s no denying that Smith is one of the most successful actors working today and delivered many memorable performances in action blockbusters such as Independence Day and Men In Black and touching dramas including The Pursuit of Happyness. Smith received his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of boxing legend, Muhammed Ali, in Michael Mann’s Ali. Unfortunately, two of his recent films, Collateral Beauty and Gemini Man, were both disappointments. King Richard represents one of Smith’s best films and also one of his most impressive performances. He portrays Richard as a determined and caring father. It’s a powerful performance that is sure to see Smith receive an Oscar nomination at next year’s Academy Awards. It would have been easy for Smith’s performance to overshadow that of his fellow cast members, fortunately, that’s not the case with King Richard which allows the rest of the cast to deliver equally impressive dramatic performances. Both Sidney and Singleton deliver likeable and confident performances as the Williams sisters. Aunjanue Ellis provides a strong supporting role as Richard’s wife and the mother of the Williams sisters, Oracene. Jon Bernthal is perfectly charismatic as former tennis player, Rick Macci, who coaches Venus and Serena.

Aside from Smith’s performance, I think that King Richard could also potentially receive a nomination for Best Original Song for Beyoncé’s Be Alive, which features in the film’s trailer and is played during the end credits which show various clips and pictures of the real Venus and Serena with Richard. Beyoncé’s song is empowering and could see her follow in the footsteps of Adele and Lady Gaga who have each won an Oscar for Best Original Song, with the former winning for her song, Skyfall, which was the theme song for the 2012 James Bond film of the same name, and the latter winning for her song, Shallows, which she sung in the 2018 drama, A Star Is Born.

With an impressive dramatic performance by Will Smith, King Richard tells the inspiring true story of how sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, became tennis champions with the help of their father.

8/10