King Richard

It's interesting to see how great an actor Will Smith can be when he is totally committed to his role and doesn't chase after huge fees to give birth to disappointing films that lack any new ideas. After having worked with famous directors such as Roland Emmerich, Barry Sonnenfeld, Tony Scott, Michael Mann, Michael Bay, Peter Berg and played in a multitude of blockbusters that were worldwide hits such as the cinematographic saga Men In Black, Bad Boys, it is interesting to see that some of the directors mentioned have really seen in him an excellent actor and have offered him to play real characters who have marked American history whether it is Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. or as in this film Richard Williams. Once again Will Smith shows that he can be an excellent actor provided he has at his disposal a director with a real vision and approach to reality but also a scenario that gives the characters a real psychological dimension.

Whether you are a sports fan or not, a tennis player or not, the names of Venus and Serena Williams are world famous and illustrate two great tennis players who managed to build an exemplary career and even to confront each other during a match that has remained historic. The 2001 US Open final was the first Grand Slam final to see two sisters face each other. Reinaldo Marcus Green's film, based on a script by Zach Baylin, does not focus on the match, but rather on the remarkable beginnings of these two exceptional players, and how, coming from a poor and dangerous neighborhood, they managed to become pop culture icons and stars adored worldwide. In understanding where the fire that drives them comes from, one must understand the importance of their father in their careers.

Richard Williams (Will Smith) had a rough childhood, didn't get to go to college and built himself up by trying to figure out the keys to success. Drafting a 78-page strategic plan to turn his two daughters into world legends, he built a teaching model by pushing his daughters to their limits. Coming from Compton, LA and not being able to afford to send his daughters to prestigious schools, Richard Williams struggled to find them a sports coach and teaching them to always be humble as shown in the scene where Richard Williams shows a Disney movie. Richard Williams was simply successful as a coach, but his success was also due to his wife who saw in their daughters a real potential capable of lifting mountains. 

Based on a true story, King Richard)is certainly a romanticized biopic but finds the perfect approach to bring a story close to Rocky's to life. It is no coincidence that Venus Williams, like Rocky, loses her match in the final because that is where her legendary career really began. This match against Martina Hingis allowed Vanessa Williams to gain a hell of a mind and to win five Olympic medals, 

Undoubtedly King Richard is one of this year's eventful films and shows once again that Warner Bros. studios are still capable of offering us great films as long as they can find committed directors, actors who take real pleasure in acting and, above all, a scenario capable of holding the audience's attention like a tennis final match in which our attention is not released until the end of the match.

King Richard
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green
Written by Zach Baylin
Produced by Tim White, Trevor White, Will Smith
Starring Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal
Cinematography : Robert Elswit
Edited by Pamela Martin
Music by Kris Bowers
Production companies : Westbrook Studios, Star Thrower Entertainment, Keepin' It Reel
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date : September 2, 2021 (Telluride), November 19, 2021 (United States), December 1, 2021 (France)
Running time : 145 minutes

Seen on November 19, 2021

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