It’s the true story of the determination of a loving father to help his two daughters rise to tennis stardom using his plan. Richard Williams’ plan includes them just being kids in a world where parents have their children compete at a young age in what is the typical road to becoming pro. Through Richard’s plan, he helps his daughters Venus and Serena become the greatest tennis players in the world and all time.
Will Smith stars as Richard Williams in what one might call is most emotional role yet. Coming out of the ‘92 LA Riots and living in Compton, California, Richard and his wife have the determination to keep all 5 daughters on the right path. Smith, in portraying that kind of adversity, does so with such power and emotion. Even when he is being “beat up” defending his daughters, he has a strong impactful way of doing so.
Similarly the film stars Saniyya Sydney as Venus in a role that she is not a stranger to playing. That is one of adversity and triumph. Coming from her past roles in films including Fences, Hidden Figures and Roots, it is know surprise why Sydney is chosen for this powerful role. She carries much of the same emotion and power as Smith, especially when she challenges her father to let her play in her first pro match.
Her sister Serena is played by Demi Singleton in what is her first full length film. Overall Singleton has a deep emotion that stems from a little competitive nature and shows what sisters going for the same title must be facing growing up. Singleton does not let anyone down as a newcomer to the film world, she has the same fiasty emotion that will make her career interesting to watch as she accepts more powerful roles.
King Richard is a powerful movie which came out November 19th. It has everything one could want in a true story drama and will be interesting to see how it fairs for the upcoming awards ceremony. It’s currently playing in a theater near you.