Review: King Richard

Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

 

For years, Will Smith was one of Hollywood's biggest stars and his name at the top of a film most likely meant success. In recent years, the films to which he has been attached have seen less success, but his performance in "King Richard" should result in some awards attention as well as some juicier roles in the near future. As Richard Williams, the helicopter parent who wouldn't accept no as an answer and father to tennis superstars Venus (portrayed here by Saniyya Sidney) and Serena Williams (Demi Singleton), he gives one of his finest performances to date.

The film is partially a sports biopic - although Venus and Serena take a back seat to the antics of Richard's overbearing father - but also a story about a man so fixated on a plan for his family that he doesn't stop to consider what they want or whether they approve of his decisions. The first third of the film includes scenes involving the game of tennis, but focuses more on Richard's down-and-out luck in Compton, where he and his family live.

In these early scenes, Richard is tormented, beaten and nearly killed by some gang members who have their eyes on his daughter, Tunde (Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew), after he intervenes while they are catcalling her. A scene in which Richard's life almost takes a turn for the worse is interrupted by what can only be described as divine providence. While some might find the scene superfluous, a later sequence in which Richard describes how he was attacked as a boy by some white men and saw his father running away is instructive regarding Richard's interactions with the gang members and his need to feel that he is protecting his family.

Otherwise, the film is split between being an inspiring sports feature - Venus is much more focused on here, whereas Serena lives in her shadow for much of the movie, although we know she later on went on to become the better of the two sisters at tennis - and a drama about a man who never earned respect seeking to obtain complete control in a world where he doesn't feel he belongs. One talent scout even points out how the sport of tennis at that time had done little to interest the Black community.

Although Richard's intentions are often good - he has a point about wanting his daughters to have a childhood - his controlling behavior nearly drives all those around him insane, especially Venus, whom he gets through the door with numerous coaches and other tennis officials, only to refuse to allow her to play in juniors matches - the route taken by all tennis players - and try to call the shots about everything regarding her career.

Smith has a delicate balancing act here. On the one hand, the audience is meant to feel sympathy for Richard and recognize his drive for success coming from a lifetime of near misses. On the other, his personality and dictatorial behavior alienates nearly everyone around him. Smith does a great job of juggling these tasks.

As his wife, Brandy Williams, Aunjanue Ellis does a great job portraying a woman who is in lockstep with her spouse's goals for their daughters - she fiercely wants them to succeed - while also remaining constantly at her wit's end over Richard's tactics. Ellis is especially good in a scene in which she reprimands her husband for nearly making his daughters walk three miles home after they don't act as humble as he'd like after a tennis match, and even better when she goes through a list of all his faults during a squabble in their kitchen.

"King Richard" is a very well acted and compelling film - and it's not likely to be the movie you're expecting. The picture is not the Venus and Serena Williams Story so much as it is the Will Smith Show. As such, with his commanding performance, the actor ensures that this relatively unknown side character involved in the lives of two very well-known public figures never remains anything less than riveting.