Sports movies generally don’t get much Academy Awards hype, but anything is possible for the Williams sisters.
It helps that Will Smith delivered an Oscar-worthy performance as Richard Williams, the famous father of Venus and Serena. The young actresses who played the sisters starred, as well. And, of course, it’s hard to mess up the awesome real-life story of Venus and Serena. All in all, “King Richard” is a major player during this awards season.
In fact, it is already racking up the accolades. At the Golden Globes Smith won Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, while the film was also nominated in the categories of Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene Price), and Best Original Song (“Be Alive” by Beyonce). “King Richard” has six Academy Award nominations in advance of the March 27 festivities, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Smith), and Best Supporting Actress (Ellis). Smith is a considerable favorite to win Best Actor according to the odds.
Is “King Richard” the best tennis movie ever? It’s possible. Smith has a lot to do with that; he really was awesome as Richard. But what makes the film stand out–especially for true tennis fans–is the quality of the tennis scenes. The Williams sisters actresses (Saniyya Sidney as Venus; Demi Singleton as Serena) are naturals on the court despite not being tennis players.
“I had never played tennis before,” Demi said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “Neither of us had played tennis before. That was a very new sport for us. Learning to play in the amount of time we had was not easy, especially playing two of the greatest athletes of all time. That made it a bit more difficult. I feel like if we were just learning to play like Saniyya and Demi, rather than Venus and Serena, it would’ve been a bit easier.”
They sure made it look easy, even though it sounds impossible.
“Borg vs McEnroe” and “Battle of the Sexes” are decent enough movies in the last five years, but the tennis scenes leave a lot to be desired. Maybe the filmmakers were smart to keep those to a minimum, as there is more of an off-court focus in the Borg-McEnroe and Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs films. Sure there is also a lot of off-court character development in “King Richard,” of course, but it is balanced well with the tennis.
Overall, it’s a great movie that should not be missed–certainly not by tennis fans.
anyone else seen it?
An example of extreme nationalism in the form and art and entertainment. What’s not to like?
Feeling a bit insecure are we?
“form of”
When since have “kings” been associated with America? Hey, that’s something we’re missing; let’s lay claim to that, as well. The propaganda machine at its finest.
Well theres Jonathan King he used to do a TV programme about New York
Oh for heaven’s sake! Just go away and leave us alone.
As Andy Murray said to Lukas Rosol ” Nobody likes you”.
That wasn’t addressed at you Al!
Teach your kids to exploit their physical advantage over others, rather than their skill and craft, and then get glorified for it.That’s the kind of world we want to live in.
OK.I thought it was a bit strong but not exactly unusual from you.
I thought it was an interesting remark so replied to it .Im old enough to rememeber a King in New York , not a bad programme but his name is shame now .
And 99% of the world doesn’t like you guys. Wake up and smell the coffee.
Anyone with half a brain can see this whole forum is staged/orchestrated between several people posting under different aliases.
So who are you when you are not Anonymous?
Nadline, he frequently accuses other anons of impersonating him. While it is true that there is more than one of them he is the main anon and I strongly suspect he does this to disassociate himself from his own comments!
In other words what he is writing here is just projection.
Raj’s advice to ignore him is spot on but the sheer amount of these endless interminable posts makes it difficult..
‘King Richard ‘ just about describes him if you get my drift 😉
amy,
I think I know who this troll is. I am trying to ignore him, as others have advised. But it does disrupt the discussion. That is the intention.
This is someone who sounds very disturbed. A lot of anger issues. It’s too bad that these people don’t get some help.
Definitely will see it….good review!
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