Y’all.
I forgot I was watching Will Smith.
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Do you know how rarely that shit happens? Totally forgetting that I’m watching an actor because they’ve folded their entire selves into a character?! Not only did I forgot Smith was playing Venus and Serena Williams’ father, I forgot that the entire cast was acting at one point.
Y’all.
..
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Is this a hyperbolic take? Absolutely. But all this rigamarole aside, “King Richard” was nearly perfect from start to finish. 😌😌
I have not attempted to hold back tears during a film since screening “Summer of Soul…” earlier this year, and I cry at everything.
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Me and the other shawties in my theater row throughout the entire film:
I just—
What an inspirational film.
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Ensemble cast:
Her name is a complete sentence.
I’m gonna gon’ ‘head and say this artist is a legend. Akin to André Holland, whenever she’s featured in a project, she kills every second.
She is the impact.
Let’s recall “Ray,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and her recent role as fan-favorite”Hippolyta” in the Emmy Award-winning fantasy drama “Lovecraft Country.”
Ms. Ellis knows her craft.
In “King Richard,” Ellis portrays the Williams family matriarch Oracene “Brandy” Williams, a ten-toes-down head of household who supports each member and manages to maintain a level-headed demeanor across the board. She worked full time to provide for the family of seven while Richard coached the future tennis phenoms.
I appreciated the screenplay giving Ellis space to shine as the film progressed. Richard may have been the focus of the piece, but the direction to continuously push Brandy into a background role of Venus’ success was specific and effective. She was the roots and the audience was able to see the bombastic flowering of her character’s continued muting during the kitchen argument scene in Florida— the absolute highlight of both Ellis and Smith’s performances.
It was emotional and raw.
It was uncomfortable and startling.
It was familiar and it was effectual.
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Sir!
Just another chameleon doing what he does best—melting into roles. Christ almighty, just consistently giving the masses his incredible work. His performance was crazy because you didn’t even need to know who Coach Rick Macci is to know that Bernthal killed this role. His energy was infectious and he was missed when he was not on the screen.
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Man, a round of applause to Saniyya Sidney, the young actress who played Venus, and Demi Singleton who portrayed young Serena. They really found two talented young women who gave their all to these roles. I loved peeking into this family’s history to understand the dynamics of their individual progressions into superstardom.
All of the Williams sisters WORKED. Athletics ☑️, academics ☑️—their parents said “y’all gon’ succeed at something.”
I loved the training scenes at the courts in Compton, the family nights watching Disney films, and the sisters performing in their after-dinner talent shows. The scenes were important for building narrative structure but were also relatable and wholesome, a nice little reminder that this is a family feature.
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Man, shouts to the director Reinaldo Marcus Green. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I envy how he was able to capture so much in a film that felt shorter than its runtime.
Using the contrasts of the Williams’ physical and cultural environment as the backdrop to push the screenplay’s narrative was incredible.
In Compton, we see parts of the community that antagonized the family’s progress and safety, like with the child services call from the neighbor across the street, the cat-calling shawties who continuously interrupted the sisters’ practices at a neighborhood park and later physically attacked Richard. But we also see a resilient family structure in Brandy Williams’ role as a protective mama bear who would move heavens to make sure her family is straight. As the film progressed, we saw a sea change in community support that shifts from combative and agitating to encouraging and defending.
The film also snapshots the political landscape the family lives through—the news report of the Rodney King tape was a tide turner for Richard, Brandy, and the ideas they had for their daughters’ chances for success.
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The hair and costuming were so damn great too, yo! I was hoping we’d see some iconic 90s hood staples and Black momma quintessential hairstyles. I was pleased to see Venus don the white beaded braids for the final match of the film. As she emerged from the locker room in a slow motion reveal, I started to whimper. The score complemented the moment, and made me believe that Venus’ anxiety and determination to win feel immediate and authentic.
I could feel her and see me in that moment. 🥺 🥺
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Continuing with high praise, shouts to the editing team because… just “chef’s kiss.” 👏🏾 🤌🏾😘 I loved the seamlessness of the perspective shifts during the matches. This film is an example of how good editing elevates a film.
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Now Will…
This is the best performance from Willard Carroll Smith Jr. I’ve seen in decades.
For the first time in a long time, I was able to see something I’ve always wanted to see—Smith acting unlike himself.
He bodied the cadence of Richard Williams voice. He changed his stride. The hair and makeup changes were minimal but impactful. I was pinching myself like, “okay, he’s really doing it.” He embodied the Black elder of a certain generation’s motif. The screenplay dug into specific African-American Vernacular English, and sprinkled in the idioms and maxims I can recall from the elders in my family about hard work, perseverance, and not settling for what is available to you as the “end all, be all.”
Smith’s performance was damn good’t. He made me eat my words and I’m so happy he did.
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In conclusion, all those generic quotes studios like to use to promote their films ring true for “King Richard.”
The “feel good” movie of the year? Yes it is. A humbling, inspirational film for all to see.
Is it a relatable piece of art? Absolutely. And specifically for the Black girls around the world who occupy historically mostly/all-White spaces—it is a special piece for us, by us.
Beautifully directed? Yes, and I need to see all of Reinaldo Marcus Green’s other works.
I think this film reminded me most of how I felt the first time I watched “Remember the Titans.” Just an inspirational sports feature that seems timeless.
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I’m gonna watch it again and again…
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