KING RICHARD

2021, 144 minutes, Colour.

Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sydney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Dylan McDermott,

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.

No, not the Crusades and the Lionheart. Although this King Richard, Richard Williams, certainly has more than a Lionheart concerning his crusade, or in his words, “plan”, for two of his talented daughters and their tennis careers, Venus and Serena.

As we watch this film and wonder what the real Richard Williams was like and how he communicated with his daughters, there is satisfaction during the final credits with actual footage of Richard and the continuing success and unprecedented achievement by his daughters.

While the two young actresses bring the two children, early teenagers, Venus and Serena, alive as characters, as determined tennis players, as dedicated sports players, the focus of attention is, of course, on Richard Williams himself. And, as played by Will Smith, with his long TV and film heritage behind him, he is something of a power force. And, while we do have a lot of sympathy for him, he is not always a likeable character. And the screenplay highlights this, some conflicts between Richard and various coaches, working with his wife, Brandy (a persuasive performance by Aunjanue Ellis), disciplinary demands and good conduct for his daughters but also some very strong confrontational sequences about motivations, methods, ego. (And, on the basis of several sequences, we are not surprised to learn after watching the film that the couple did separate and divorce.)

For tennis fans, there is plenty to enjoy. Quite a lot of practice sessions in detail. Quite a number of matches illustrating styles and techniques. And, culminating sequence for the film, Venus at 14, her first competition in three years, taking on the world champion, Arancia Vicario Sanchez in Oakland in 1994. This is the dramatic end of the film, a young teenager facing the challenge, disappointed in performance, but suddenly finding an enormous acclaim for the courage and strength of her game as well is character. She is played by Saniyya Sydney. And, while the focus is on Venus, there is sufficient emphasis on Serena, younger, idolising her sister, later her competitor and co-champion, Demi Singleton.

Also for tennis fans, there is a lot of background about coaches, Richard Williams working with his daughters from a young age at the local tennis courts in Compton, California, thugs and muggings, protection support, the era of the Rodney King case, police and race prejudice. We are introduced to Paul Cohen who coaches John McEnroe (an amusing incident) and a more cooperative Pete Sampras.: He allows the two sisters to demonstrate their skills and takes them on for several years, promoting them in young players’ competitions. Later there is Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal), talented with coaching young players like Jennifer Capriati, no match for the wiles of Richard Williams in working out the best of all possible contracts and independence while Macci coaches Venus.

For those who enjoy dramas, whatever the subject, there is much of interest here, Will Smith at his best, an excellent supporting cast, family drama and conflicts, the world of tennis, sport, competitiveness, tournaments.

1. The title? Expectations? The 20^th century Lionheart? The portrait of Richard Williams?
2. Audience knowledge of the Williams family, the success of Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Grand Slam champions, stars of the world of international tennis? Audience knowledge of their father, the mother and their role in training them? Audience interesting in knowing their backgrounds, their training, the steps in their careers?
3. The Californian settings, Compton, black neighbourhood, local thugs, local support and protection, the Rodney King bashings and the atmosphere of 1991? The contrast with Florida, the training camp, facilities, comfortable life?
4. Audience interest in tennis, the scenes for fans, the details of training, techniques styles, matches, tournaments? For non—tennis fans, the dramatic story, the buildup of training, characters and interactions?
5. Richard Williams and Will Smith’s performance? Embodying the character? Age, experience, marriage to Brandy? Their working with the girls together, each contributing to technique? His emphasis on the plan and his continually quoting it? Strong personality, determination, at times overbearing, self-confidence, confrontations with Brandy, the challenges to his ego? At home, the five girls, discipline in the house, good manners, intelligence, well-educated? The focus on the two tennis players, taking them to practice, the truck, his jacket and shorts, his continued presence, demands? The reaction to the thugs, the bashing? The later support of the young men in the cars, offering protection?
6. The two girls, their place in the family, ages, the bonding together, the five girls working together, working with their mother? The oldest and her studies?
7. Richard, his approach to Paul Cohen, the glimpse of John McEnroe and Pete Sampras, pressurising Cohen, the girls demonstrating their skills, the coach taking them on, the years of training, Richard ever present, disagreeing with the coach, arguments? The entry into tournaments, the young players, the focus on Venus, older, her playing, the range of matches, the range of victories? Serena and her playing, support? The family all coming to support the sisters?
8. Richard withdrawing the girls from Paul Cohen? The businessmen coming to offer patronage and big deals? Richard and his animosity, racial issues, the exclusive nature of American tennis? His refusal? Withdrawing the girls from Paul Cohen? His shock reaction?
9. The Rick Macci? Training Jennifer Capriati, good with young trainees? The approach by Richard, the discussions, pressurising him, the discussions about the deal, testing Macci about his attitude towards money, not profiteering? The contract, the house, the demands, the travel across the US to Florida? The new home and comfort? The tennis courts and the young players?
10. Richard dominating Rick, withdrawing the girls from tournaments, Venus for three years, not wanting her to be spoilt, the images of Jennifer Capriati on the drugs? His continued presence during the training? Rick and his exasperation?
11. Venus and Serena over the years, obeying their father? The other girls? The episode of their bragging in the car and Richard’s condemnation, matching them watch Disney’s Cinderella, give the right answers, making them watch it again?
12. Venus, wanting to play in the tournament, persuading Rick, asking him to persuade her father? His reluctance, the confrontation with Brandy, her challenging his self-centredness, his omitting her from comments about the training, yet her significant contribution?
13. Finally agreeing, going to Oakland, Venus aged 14, the courts and the seating, overwhelming? Her preparation? Going on to the court, with the world champion, Richard staying outside, running the commentary, comments to those outside?
14. The match, the detail of the filming, Venus anxious, not doing well, quiet, concentration, the comeback, the champions going off court for eight minutes for a toilet break, psychological effect? The continuing of the match, Venus doing her best, disappointed at being beaten? The family support, her father support?
15. The background of the office for sponsorship, the discussions about the money, the effect of the sponsorship, for Venus to decide for herself, the rejection? The sponsors watching her during the match?
16. The aftermath, quietly disappointed, with her father, coming out, the greeting of so many fans?
17. The further information about her career, Serena’s career, sponsorships?
18. The final credits, the visuals of Richard Williams, coaching, with his daughters, his daughters and their performances, their victories and their place in tennis history?