Will Smith’s “incident” grabbed all the headlines at the Oscars. Some call it unfortunate; others heroic. It is etched as a moment of irony and infamy in Oscars’ history. In retrospect, it took away the credit and goodwill that ‘King Richard’ had earned through the season. In the sports film, we learn about the Williams sisters’ relentless father and how they became some of the best tennis players in the world.
The story focused not only on Smith’s debut as Richard but also on the sisters’ individual strengths and their family’s challenges. There were doubts about how the movie would turn out, given the many attempts to cast the story on screen. But ‘King Richard’ leaves no doubts in one’s mind as to its quality and authenticity of emotions.
King Richard Review: Plot and Story
Richard does not want his daughters to settle for anything less. While he is eager to see his daughters play at Wimbledon, he also pushes them hard in their sports. Venus and Serena – in that order – gradually begin to exhibit the mentality they showcase today under challenging circumstances. It takes time, but the sisters are successful in leaving their mark, being among the youngest ever to play tennis professionally. They briefly take a hiatus from the sport because of their father’s stubbornness, but history shows that they return to win the world championship.
King Richard Review: Themes and Analysis
It is very easy for such films to go wrong. As the director narrated the film, he had to keep in mind that his narration must encompass both sport and character development. It must dive deep into the person behind those personalities. And ‘King Richard’ has that in aplomb.
There are numerous attempts to showcase the unseen figures from their lives. It is not a case of watching passively while the child actors play the Williams sisters do their thing. Instead, director Reinaldo Green forces us to emotionally engage with the more human conflicts that the family struggled with.
Richard’s dynamic with his wife has strong feminist undertones much needed in today’s times. The duo’s existential dread perfectly encapsulates the dilemma of parenting. At the moment you make a decision, there is no way of knowing whether it is the right one or not. Only time, the parents’ faith, and the child’s sincerity can provide an answer. This is where ‘King Richard’ takes the cake, getting the intangible uncertainty very right.
Should You Watch the Film: Yay or Nay?
This is not a film to miss. It is made for audiences of all ages, right from a schoolgoer to a grandparent of five. Watch it for his central performance and take a trip down memory lane seeing these world-class athletes putting in their first prints on the game. That being said, Will Smith deserves the award – not the praise for the Oscar debacle.
Check Out These other Reviews: