Battle of the Sexes-2017

Director Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Starring Emma Stone, Steve Carell

Scott’s Review #691

Reviewed October 11, 2017

Grade: A

Battle of the Sexes (2017) is a film worth watching on many levels. Equal parts sports film, drama, and biography, it excels across all genres with exceptional acting and crowd-pleasing storytelling.

To boot, the film is a true story based not only on the very famous pro tennis match of 1973, termed the “Battle of the Sexes,” but also a story of the sexual identity conflict of one of the opponents in a time where being ones true self was not easy, especially for a public figure.

Emma Stone might have given her best portrayal of her young career as Billie Jean King, the talented tennis pro featured in the film.

She was kind and fair but a fierce proponent of women’s rights in the United States when feminism began taking shape and women and their male supporters demanded equal treatment.

Although initially uncertain whether Stone could pull the role off (not because of a lack of talent, but because the women seem so different), she truly shines as the tomboy athlete with shaggy, feathered locks and a toothy grin.

Equally worthy of praise is Steve Carell, who bolsters his film credo by tackling the role of King’s opponent and foe in the big match, Bobby Riggs.

Portrayed as a certifiable “jerk” and a sexist pig, Carell somehow pours the perfect amount of sympathy and likability into the part.

We witness scenes of Riggs’ playfulness with his young son and tender yet troubled relationship with his wife, Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue in a well-cast role), that never seem trite or contrived but rather quite genuine.

The acting in Battle of the Sexes is, across the board, good.

Sarah Silverman drips with confidence and humor as Gladys Heldman, founder of World Tennis magazine and leader of the troupe of female tennis players who parade around southern California seeking the same respect and pay as their male counterparts.

Bill Pullman makes the most of his one-dimensional role as Jack Kramer, a wealthy and male chauvinistic promoter, while the talented Andrea Riseborough is brilliant as Marilyn, Billie Jean’s bisexual, closeted lover—giving her role a blend of vulnerability and toughness.

The romantic scenes between Stone and Riseborough smolder with tenderness and heart as they forge ahead with their forbidden romance.

The film makes clear that a same-sex romance in those days, while accepted by those around them, would be met with shame and rejection by a large part of King’s legions of fans- this is a heartbreaking reality.

One of the most tear-jerking scenes comes at the end of the film when a victorious King is unable to acknowledge Marilyn. Her openly gay male dresser earnestly whispers to her that one day, she will be free to love who she truly loves.

The scene is poignant.

Directors Dayton and Faris carve a finale that is careful not to fall into the cliched territory. Given that Battle of the Sexes is a sports film, this is a real risk, as typically, these genre films teeter into the “good guys beat bad guys” fairy tale land.

While the film does champion King in the end, the moment is laced with good humor, drama, and sentimentality that does not seem forced but rather honest and real—I enjoyed the final act immensely.

As the film progressed, I found myself drawing parallels to the ever-dramatic and historic 2016 Presidential election—sure to have films made in years ahead- and King, in many ways, mirrors Hillary Clinton, while Riggs resembles Donald Trump in the sexist department.

The political and sports “Battles of the Sexes” warrants much analysis.

My point is a sad one. As much as I love the film, I was left with a cold feeling that forty-five years after the famous Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs match, male superiority, and chauvinism are alive and well in the United States—we still have so much progress to make.

Battle of the Sexes (2017) is a film with fantastic acting, stellar casting, passion, excitement, and a telling of a historical, true story.

The film contains all the elements of a compelling cinematic experience.