Film Review: "Battle of the Sexes" (2017).

"He made a bet. She made history." This is Battle of the Sexes. This biographical sports film directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, written by Simon Beaufoy, and loosely based on the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women's movement, the 1973 tennis match between women's world champion Billie Jean King and ex-men's-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs was billed as the Battle of the Sexes and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett developed. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family and wife Priscilla. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.

In April 2015, the project was announced with Emma Stone and Steve Carrell cast in the lead roles. However, scheduling issues forced Stone to drop out. Brie Larson was ultimately tapped to replace her. However, after a few months, Larson dropped out. After Stone's schedule was cleared, she was able to take back the role. By early April 2016, Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Alan Cumming, Elisabeth Shue, and Fred Armisen rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, with a budget of $25 million, principal photography commenced, and took place in Los Angeles. Prior to filming, due to Stone's lack of knowledge and skills in Tennis, Stone underwent training and put on fifteen pounds of muscle. For the tennis match scenes, tennis players Kaitlyn Christian (who portrays Original 9 member Kerry Melville Reid) and Vince Spadea were the body doubles of Stone and Carell, respectively.

The film stars Stone, Carell, Riseborough, Silverman, Pullman, Cumming, Shue, and Armisen. Terrific performances were given by the cast, especially from Stone and Carell. Stone, as usual, taels our heart. Both Stone and Carell elevate this battle into something pleasantly surprising.

In the superb hands of directors Faris and Dayton, writer Beaufoy, and with unimprovable performances from Stone and Carell, Battle of the Sexes becomes a funny and fulfilling cinematic event. The film is a witty, inspiring film that charts Billie Jean King's drive to put women's tennis on the map, as well as being a smart, gripping and enormously enjoyable parable. It is a great story, deftly told and a wonderful testament to what an inspirational figure Billie Jean King has been. In the end, it is a hugely entertaining documentary that tells a colourful, fascinating story and makes a series of resonant points about equal rights.

Simon says Battle of the Sexes receives:

Also, see my review for Ruby Sparks.