King Richard

I like these bottoms-to-top sports dramas a lot, and this one definitely ranks as one of my favorites. Will Smith is perfect, his life wisdom and advice are a balm to the soul, the emotions are functional, the dramatic scenes are steamy (the police visit was great), and the tennis scenes were entertaining. A powerful and incredible story. I enjoyed it more than I would have hoped. 8/10. (31/12/2021)

I don't like the Williams sisters, so I had to force myself a bit into the film, but after finishing it I can say that I really didn't expect such an intense drama. This is a very accomplished piece of filmmaking that perfectly combines all the aspects that a sports drama should have; I bow not only to the work of the whole creative team, but also to the great performances of the two young sisters, Will Smith who played the father in a totally convincing and authentic way, but last but not least, especially to all the real characters led by the Williams sisters, because this life journey is revelatory, shocking and surprising for the uninitiated. It's a great film and at 140 minutes, I don’t think I was bored for a minute. Proof that there's no drama like drama, but when you add a filmmakers' deft hands and a playful idea, it's a winner. (05/04/2022)

Serena and Venus as the perfect projects of the brilliant strategist and visionary Richard. Nothing against it, but the film is too respectful of the King's gloriole. Although it tries to problematize his motivations and the execution of the divine plan for the "two Jordans" several times, it always ends up slipping into schematic adoration. Green isn't an inventive director. He just repeats a learned pattern of punches and when he has to do a big smash at the end to win the game, he hits it out of bounds. Partly because Venus is so absent-minded throughout the narrative that one can't quite sympathize with her efforts. Smith is literally begging for an Oscar in every scene and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets one. It's a similarly digestible and pre-chewed morsel as Green Book was some time ago. Thanks, but I'm sticking with Borg vs. McEnroe. And if you are looking for emotion and psychology, get Untold: Breaking Point. That film speaks about the essence of tennis about a thousand times better and more dramatically than this mess. P.S. There's hardly a film where Bernthal appears and doesn't add a star on top. Give him a big role already. (27/11/2021)

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story of the legendary Williams sisters. I hadn’t paid as much attention to Venus and Serena over the years, but you’d have to be pretty out of touch not to know their incredible story. Raising two talented girls from a tough neighborhood and turning them into global tennis icons is no small feat, and it’s a story that deserves to be told. I’d heard all sorts of things about their father over the years, but Will Smith’s portrayal really brought him to life in a way that made it all click for me. It’s a wonderfully crafted film, full of biographical details that I love in a movie. All in all, a great cinematic experience. (23/02/2022)

A smart biopic for the whole family; thematically appealing, well scripted, accessible and well acted. It's considerably more a feel-good-vibe movie than an ambitious and raw drama, but it's so skillfully made, with so many worthwhile and entertaining scenes, that most viewers will gobble it up like a raspberry. Will Smith gives one of the best performances of his rich career. (08/01/2022)