King Richard

King Richard distinguishes itself from the typical sports movie in two ways: its central character doesn't play, nor is there any indication that he ever has played a sport.  And, there is an underlying theme that sports are simply a conduit for greatness; pursuing greatness in any form is its own end.  The director Reinaldo Marcus Green, and Will Smith in the leading role, are mostly successful in avoiding the clichés that tend to saturate this genre.  Smith, playing the father of Serena and Venus Williams, is able to convince us that he's completely committed to his children's success, and is struggling with the weight and shame of his own failures.  In one scene he is a stoic example of good sportsmanship, and the next his pride and insecurities seep to the surface.  The weakness of this film is that the outcome is already known; we know at the onset that the Williams sisters will become champion tennis players, so we are more likely to excuse their father's more extreme behaviors.  While Green and Smith explored some interesting territory, it seems like they're always playing it safe.  Smith's character indicates that he would be just as proud of his daughters if they were to achieve greatness as doctors, or teachers - but that wouldn't have been worthy of getting a Hollywood movie.  The unfortunate result of making a movie about an almost-compelling character and the pre-glory days of his daughters, is that it's just not that interesting.  It's only now that I look to close out my review of King Richard that I am reminded of my own tennis experiences from my own childhood... I don't want to spoil the plot, but I wouldn't be the man I am today if it weren't for my own tennis coach father.