11/20/21 - King Richard (2021) - 4+/5-/10
Did you see the trailer? Then you saw the whole film, essentially as much detail, depth, and distillation of character as the film itself will present you get in that 2 min reel. It is a solidly made film and watchable, but not as engaging as I would have wanted and certainly not as insightful as I needed. The whole thing just rang a bit hollow, unable to manufacture a real connection or dramatic tension that could hook me..
This is a film distinctly about Richard Williams, NOT Venus and Serena, which is a choice I would question. Especially since it neuters most of the autonomy of the 6 key women (the mother and 5 daughters) and they come off as more athletic drones. I might have taken issue with that decision if there had seemed to be a deeper dive into the character and personality of Mr. Williams. He is not perfect, but there is a strong slathering of “good guy” and “Mr. Right” onto his veneer. Maybe he was, but from whispers around the edge of the story and some real life accounts, he at least contained more complexity and some less desirable attitudes & actions.
This film is a whole-hearted platform for Will Smith, but honestly it didn’t feel rounded or insightful, but more mannered and mild. Usually in a vehicle like this they will at least provided ample scenery to chew on, but there isn’t much beyond what you see in the previews. Certainly lacked enough to divest me of much passion or interest. Smith is fine, but nothing I felt compelled to gush over or push people to see.
The times that it seemed to pique my interests most were the tennis matches, providing the heightened drama that sports films are meant to. Made me hang on each swing and want to grab a racket again. Also, when Jon Bernthal as coach Macci was trying to plow his way through the minefield that the senior Williams had laid out, he really shone. One of his better and most non-Bernthal performances.
In the end, there isn’t a great deal here. Not quite a puff piece, but a layered and prickly dive into this man and his amazingly athletic daughters it was not.
