King Richard is about Venus and Serena Williams’ upbringing and the impact their father had on the trajectory of their careers. It’s an inspirational true story, and an important one at that! Let’s consider the pros and cons of King Richard…
Pros: Firstly, Will Smith is outstanding in the titular role! The way he brings Richard Williams to life with both heart and mannerisms, is something truly special. Secondly, is the plot based on a true story, which I found fascinating! We all know how successful Venus and Serena turned out, but this movie is about their journey through adversity, which I wasn’t aware of in the slightest. Lastly, is the direction from Reinaldo Marcus Green. This movie has Oscar contender written all over it, and I think several nominations would be well deserved.
Cons: This movie is done so well, from the acting to the direction and story, there aren’t many criticisms I can levy at it. I will say that the nearly 2.5 hour runtime did get to me at times. There are more than a few tennis montages, which is where I think some of that time could have been saved. Lastly, and also very minorly, is that the rules of the game are never explained. I’m sure most people are at least somewhat familiar with the rules, but a quick recap would have been immensely helpful for the rest of us.
I give King Richard an A-. It’s the best kind of inspirational sports movie, and Will Smith’s performance is nothing short of brilliant! Whether you’re a fan of tennis or not, it’s a powerful true story that will resonate with anyone with a competitive mindset. Happy Watching!
“This world ain’t never had no respect for Richard Williams… But they gonna respect y’all.”