"King Richard" (2021) | Sam Gall Movie Review Issue #161 Gem Mint 10
"King Richard" (2021)
Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Writer: Zach Baylin
Starring: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Jon Bernthal, Tony Goldwyn, Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Daniele Lawson, Layla Crawford, Kevin Dunn, Craig Tate
Rated: PG-13 for some violence, strong language, a sexual reference and brief drug references
Runtime: 2h 24m
Genre: Biography | Drama | Sport
Country: United States
Language: English
Available on: Various VOD platforms / HBO Max
"A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams."
You might like this if you like: Tennis, Venus & Serena Williams, Biographies, Dramas, Sports, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Jon Bernthal, Tony Goldwyn, Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Daniele Lawson, Layla Crawford, Kevin Dunn, Craig Tate
'King Richard' (2021)
This might be the one I’ll be rooting for all throughout the year! An instant classic that I can’t believe hasn’t been told sooner!
Growing up I wasn’t ever that into sports, but my mom did happen to have tennis on the TV quite a lot and Venus and Serena Williams became part of my consciousness pretty early on and were always a favorite. It even got me try out a tennis for a few years just for fun! But when I heard the word ‘tennis’… I thought of Venus and Serena. That’s all I could think of.
'King Richard' (2021)
Both played wonderfully by Demi Singleton (Serena) and Saniyya Sidney (Venus) with Will Smith playing Richard and Aunjanue Ellis as Brandi; probably my favorite family after watching this movie.
I had seen the trailer a couple times in theaters, but didn’t think I’d actually love it as much as I ended up. Even though it’s called ‘King Richard’, it still feels like Serena and Venus’ movie, or maybe, at least, the family’s movie because in every scene, even when the girls aren’t in them, they’re being talked about. They are the center of every conversation and motivation. It’s beautiful.
Will Smith in 'King Richard' (2021)
It was so interesting seeing how far back the Williams parents had planned for their daughters to go, even before birth. The entire family, every other sister too, were so damn inspiring! I’m sure at times it got hard to live under some of those pressures, I can only imagine, but what a journey they’ve all gone on. Making sure those two also had a childhood and how important that was too to them touched the heart. So many do miss out on their childhood.
Demi Singleton (left) & Saniyya Sidney (right) in 'King Richard' (2021)
Easily a contender for my favorite film of the year. It just feels like the story we need right now. The heroes we need right now. Thank you to everyone involved in this story, even outside of tennis they’re inspiring folks like me to do better.
Written by Sam Gall on Dec 21, 2021
CGC Grading: Gem Mint 10.0
"Featuring a towering performance from Will Smith in the title role, proving that a hero is not necessarily easy to root for." - Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly
"This is a dream role for Will Smith and he attacks it with gusto. Williams is a larger-than-life character who just happens to be real, and Smith embodies his underdog, combative, indefatigable spirit to perfection." - Max Weiss, Baltimore Magazine
"In this compelling, well-acted but conventionally told biopic about the unconventional dad of tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams, actor Will Smith makes another convincing bid to collect some acting trophies." - Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
"King Richard has a Will Smith problem. It is obviously meant to be award catnip for Smith and a cinematic crowning for Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena. And yet Smith's starring role may be the weakest part of the film." - Soraya Nadia McDonald, The Undefeated
"This is Will Smith's best performance in a long time." - Tony Baker, Tony Baker Comedy
Official Trailer:
Behind the Scenes:
#MovieReview #VenusWilliams #SerenaWilliams #RichardWilliams #VenusandSerena #SerenaandVenus #Tennis #FemaleTennis #WarnerBros #HBOMax #WillSmith #ReinaldoMarcusGreen #AunjanueEllis #JonBernthal #SaniyyaSidney #DemiSingleton