A man tries to raise two superstar athletes in King Richard, the latest from director Reinaldo Marcus Green.
Perhaps you’ve heard of Venus and Serena Williams? You almost certainly have, because their father’s vision of overturning the tennis world by making his Black, Compton-born daughters into champs came true. Having been a tennis fan most of my life, let me confirm that the sport is institutionally racist, no one had seen anything like Venus and Serena when they burst onto the scene, and they are both some of the greatest players of all time. This film takes us back to before that success, to when their father, Richard, was pushing them hard towards his dream and those around him were questioning whether it was the right path for the girls.
The biopic continues Green’s swerve into the straightforward, having followed up the complex police shooting drama Monsters and Men with the father sticking up for his son true story Joe Bell. Perhaps he’s discovered that he likes biopics, but given the lackluster reception to Bell, one hopes he gets a bit more inventive with King Richard.
At least he’s got the larger-than-life Will Smith as the determined title character, who will likely carry the meat of the story. Also starring as the young versions of the tennis superstars are experienced child actors Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton.
You know this one will have a happy ending, but there’s sure to be plenty of interesting bumps along the way.
King Richard is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and stars Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, and Jon Bernthal. It will be released in the US on November 12th, 2021 and November 19th, 2021. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think this one will be an ace? Let us know in the comments!
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