It might seem strange for the film adaptation of the story of two of tennis’ biggest stars to not actually focus on the athletes themselves, but King Richard – the story of Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena – is all the richer for it; an examination of the quirky, controversial figure that forged two of the sporting world’s greatest athletes. Anchored by an Oscar-worthy performance from Will Smith, King Richard might not break from sports biopic tradition but tells its somewhat predictable story with so much heart and emotional warmth that it is impossible not to root for the sisters and their family as they tackle a sporting system that feared the change these two titans of tennis brought about.
As a struggling family from Compton, California, the Williams’ are a far cry from the usual privileged, wealthy crowd that populate the states gorgeously manicured tennis clubs, yet that doesn’t stop father Richard (Smith) from campaigning tirelessly to secure a coach for daughters Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton). Having established a plan for both his daughters to achieve superstardom before they were even born, Richard and wife Brandy (Aunjanue Ellis) train the girls day in and day out at a local Compton court, constantly harangued by local thugs and gangsters.
But when Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn), coach to tennis legend Pete Sampras, agrees to take Venus on as a student, the family’s fortunes begin to change and her star begins to rise as she dominates the junior circuit. When the family make a defining move to Florida to train both girls under Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal), Richard is put at odds against Macci, his restrictive and singular vision for their success conflicting with the tried and tested methods to achieve tennis fame. But as the girls begin to gradually change the tennis landscape, all of his doubters are finally forced to consider the genius that is Richard’s plan.
You could argue that telling the story of Venus and Serena’s plethora of success would be a predictable, almost one-sided affair, and screenwriter Zach Baylin wisely shifts the story to find adversity in their upbringing; how being African-American affected how they were treated by opposition and how the family was only able to escape the harsh, uncomfortable realities of Compton through sheer determination and perseverance. Indeed that’s the admittedly clichéd message at the centre of the story here but Baylin uses the character study of Richard in an intriguing way to show how his plan and adherence to it often conflicted with his family’s wants and needs; creating a complex, flawed character who struggles to see beyond his own vision, regardless of how this impacts his family and the relationships he forms.
Smith is simply phenomenal as Richard, the best he has been in years as he completely loses himself in the Williams patriarch, a feat you could argue on its own isn’t easy for someone with as recognisable and distinct a public persona as Smith. His devotion to his family and seeing them succeed is born out of a troubled past tainted by racism and poverty, an almost rage-like compulsion that will not be derailed by anyone. This works the best when Richard invariably butts heads with someone questioning his methods, whether that be a local thug, police officer or tennis coach; a quiet fury creeping into his voice and a quiver in his lip as he teeters on the edge of a full meltdown. His tough love approach to his family makes for some incredibly impactful moments of genuine connection between him and his daughters; tear-jerker moments that manipulate the audience to beautiful effect.
Relative newcomers Sidney and Singleton prove that they have tremendous skill, particularly Sidney, who imbues Venus with a fierce confidence and an infectious playfulness at the sheer joy of being able to finally play the game against challenging opponents. Arguably the (ever so slightly) less successful of the two sisters, it is somewhat refreshing that the film places majority of its focus on Venus, who is initially selected to receive coaching and play in professional matches whilst Serena patiently waits in the wings, learning the same skills through recorded footage of Venus’ training sessions.
If Sidney is pent-up energy and excitement finally released then Singleton is the quiet, fierce competitiveness of Serena waiting to burst forth and obliterate the competition, with the young actress giving a nuanced look at Serena’s self-reflection and mild resentment towards being left out whilst her sister takes centre stage. Jon Bernthal, one of the best character actors working today, continues that streak here as the quirky, exasperated coach Rick Macci; a nasally, overly confident man who truly believes in the girls’ talent and pushes back at their father in order to see that potential fulfilled.
Like one of the Williams’ sisters fearsome serves, King Richard is an extremely effective crowd-pleaser featuring one of the best performances of the year from Will Smith. What it lacks in changes to the traditional sports biopic formula it makes up for in sheer heart, culminating in a fist-pumping, tear-inducing finale that beautifully ties together its message of staying strong in the face of adversity. Some might look at Richard Williams methods and disagree with the harshness of them, but a combined 30 grand slam wins later, you can’t argue with the results.
King Richard stars Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Daniele Lawson, Layla Crawford & Jon Bernthal – In Australian cinemas January 13th and streaming in the US on HBO Max now.