In the murky recesses of my childhood memories, I actually recall a tennis game called Battle of the Sexes. I guess my folks either watched the game on TV (not sure if it was broadcast locally) or maybe at least heard and discussed news about it. Despite knowing the outcome of that match, I was still curious how this singular sports event would be spun by dual directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (the same pair behind Oscar Best Picture nominee "Little Miss Sunshine" in 2006) into a full-length film.
It was the early 1970s and Billie Jean King was on top of the rankings in women's tennis. However, she was disgusted about how women players were being treated unfairly (in terms of prize money) by the male officials of the lawn tennis association, like Jack Kramer (Bill Pullman). Impulsively, she decided to rebel against convention -- boycotted the next tournament and organized an association only for women players -- the WTA.
Bobby Riggs was a retired tennis champion with a colorful career and personality. A pathologic gambler and male chauvinist pig, a problem that put him at serous odds with his wife Priscilla (Elizabeth Shue), Riggs saw the lucrative prospect of challenging the top female tennis player of the day -- not only for a big payday, but also to prove that men are superior to women. His first choice of opponent was none other than Billie Jean King.
Since I followed professional tennis all these years, I found it very interesting to learn about a turning point in its history, specifically about women's tennis. Aside from Mrs. King, I recognized names of the stars back then like Rosie Casals (Natalie Morales) and Margaret Court (Jennifer McNamee, whom I mistook as Hillary Swank at first). We still hear about Virginia Slims (their memorable tagline being "You've come a long way, baby") and the ladies tennis tour they sponsor up to this day.
Emma Stone had always been a competent actress and she proves it again here. She is playing a real life celebrity whom many viewers actually saw on TV in action, so various people will have their own standards for what counts as a good impersonation. For me, the Billie Jean King I remembered as a child was more mannish than how Stone portrayed her in this movie (but of course my memory could be wrong).
I always thought King was a tomboyish sort, but I never knew she actually had a lesbian relationship until I saw this film today. While we are more used to seeing gay affairs in mainstream cinema, lesbian affairs are not too commonly seen. Things did get steamy between King and her hairdresser Marilyn (Andrea Riseborough), more than what I thought a PG rating would allow. The character of Billie's husband Larry (Austin Stowell) was also quite a puzzling one.
Steve Carrell had always been one of my favorite comedians since I first saw him in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (Judd Apatow, 2005). This fun role of Bobby Riggs seemed tailor-made for his screen personality. I did not really know Riggs as a player (he had his career heyday in the 1940s) so seeing Carrell portray this vibrant character was quite a joy to watch. Insultingly chauvinistic as Riggs was, you would not blame his supporters from rallying behind such a charismatic entertainer as he was the way Carrell played him.
The color palette had a faded or washed-out quality typically seen in films set in the 1970s. The make-up, hairstyles and costumes were all carefully on-point as would be expected. The build up of the story by writer Simon Beaufoy in the first act could be slow, and the middle act lagged at points.
But as the action started to rise for the climactic "Battle" then things got really exciting. The thrilling game proper was so well-executed so realistically you'd feel you are watching the actual game live. You'd also see how different the shots and the speed of tennis were back then compared to how it is played nowadays.
This film is more than just a documentary about a special sports event in 1973. It is a strong statement about the uphill climb encountered by women on the tough road towards being recognized as co-equals in society. 7/10.
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