“The most strongest, the most powerful, the most dangerous creature on this whole Earth is a woman who knows how to think. Ain’t nothing she can’t do” — Richard Williams (King Richard)
King Richard, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, tells the story of how a father who came from nothing turned his daughters into world-renowned tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. This sports biopic demonstrates the importance of determination and how the increase in female empowerment can change the world.
Per usual, Will Smith’s talent takes the story to a whole new level. He perfectly fits the role of Richard Williams and carries the story beautifully. His character brings light to an often-overlooked aspect of intersectional feminism: men of color who support the barrier-breaking endeavors of the women in their lives. To come from poverty and have the opportunity to become successful is difficult, but to do it as a Black woman can’t be any easier. With the help of their father, Serena and Venus Williams beat all odds and became the number one tennis players worldwide.
Although the movie is presented from a man’s point of view, it succeeds in showcasing the significance of female strength. Independence and confidence are two most important concepts that Richard Williams implants in his daughters’ minds to aid in their success. Confidence in a woman is what makes others feel the need to stop and stare, and independence is what makes women rely on themselves rather than the patriarchy that society has constructed.
While King Richard is a great film for all ages, its target audience should be girls who are aged 12 to 16, who are formulating perceptions of themselves and whose minds are in constant development. Watching the film would be beneficial to them, as watching a true story of successful women can give them the confidence to know that women can do anything, even in a male-dominated field. King Richard shows that the tennis industry is completely run by men; all the coaches and agents were male, and the sisters still managed to surprise them even when the coaches had strong doubts in their talents.
Surpassing male superiority is a concept our society needs to get past, and films like these that exhibit males supporting female empowerment can help build up youths’ minds for the better. However, the movie could have included more perspective from the daughters on feminism. We heard a lot about what the male coaches and father think and believe, but not much from the girls themselves or the mother. It would have been more beneficial to the plot line and more impactful in general if there were additional points of views from the powerful female characters presented in the film.
King Richard is a beautiful portrayal of the achievements women can reach for the progressiveness of feminism. Although the story would have been better if it were told from the female point of view, Will Smith manages to capture the importance of society as a whole coming together to encourage change.
STARS: 3.5/5