Richard Williams (Will Smith) at the tennis practice with her daughters: Serena Williams (Demi Singleton) and Venus (Saniyya Sidney). Photograph: Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
King Richard, a biopic based on true events, is a fine film. Likely the year’s best.
Will Smith (Bad Boys for Life, Focus, The Pursuit of Happyness) pulls together a first-class performance, an acting masterclass as Richard Williams, a father of five daughters of which two are determined to become world-renowned tennis players in unfavorable conditions at the city of Compton, California. (Interesting fact: In real life, Richard decided to move to Compton so that his daughters would be exposed to gang activity, to the ugly possibilities of life if they did not work hard and get an education.)
Here’s a movie, though, that is much more than a Will Smith vehicle; foremost it’s a story of what one can achieve through determination and hard work.
It helps that director Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men) has an eye for an excellent cast.
Memorable characters include Oracene “Brandy” Williams, Richard’s wife, played by Aunjanue Ellis, who holds the pieces together when Richard goes close to the edge in his pursuit of scientific madness.
Saniyya Sidney shines as Venus Williams and Demi Singleton as Serena.
The script of the biopic was created by Zach Baylin. His research was thorough and it shows: “I just read everything I could,” he described the process in an interview.
One of the threads that tie the story together is Richard’s interaction with different tennis coaches, such as tennis legend Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal).
Free lessons are preferred. Racism is not tolerated. “I’m glad you peoples were kind enough to remove your hoods,” Richard said before a high-profile meeting at a private tennis club—a reference to the KKK.
The story is beautifully wrapped around 1970s music, soul and funk, from Wilson Pickett to Nina Simone and The Meters.
The film itself is just beautiful.
To say the least.
‘King Richard’ is available now across the cinemas in Finland.
