King Richard

KING RICHARD (12)

D: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Warner Bros / Westbrook / Star Thrower / Keepin’ It Reel (Tim White, Trevor White & Will Smith)

US 🇺🇸 2021

145 mins

Biopic/Drama

W: Zach Baylin

DP: Robert Elswit

Ed: Pamela Martin

Mus: Kris Bowers

Will Smith (Richard Williams), Aunjanue Ellis (Oracene ‘Brandy’ Price), Saniyya Sidney (Venus Williams), Demi Singleton (Serena Williams), Jon Bernthal (Rick Macci), Tony Goldwyn (Paul Cohen)

King Richard tells the story of Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams who oversaw their journey to success in the world of tennis.

Will Smith and the rest of their cast deliver superb performances in this rather safe biopic, which bizarrely treats the real stars of the story as supporting characters and it doesn’t really uncover any truths that couldn’t be highlighted in a documentary about the Williams’ Sisters.

Despite this, it was an enjoyable film and didn’t feel too overlong despite its 145 minute running time.

Will Smith won the Oscar for his performance, though the win will always be overshadowed by his infamous slap on host Chris Rock during the ceremony.

7/10