Rating of
3/4
The King Has Returned
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/30/21
Will Smith gives an outstanding performance as the titular character, Richard Williams, who has a plan laid out for his daughters, Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton), and by sheer force of determination, will and, yes, some self-promotion, will mold them into the tennis stars he has envisioned.
Let's get one thing straight, the Richard Williams in the film is real - as are the things he does for his daughters - but the film doesn't necessarily show the real Richard Williams. As has been pointed out by many, including his own family members, Williams has plenty of issues the film simply decides to gloss over. But this is supposed to be an inspirational family drama, not a downer about a dead-beat dad - so let's focus on the positive here.
What we are given is father that believes in the nigh-impossible - raising a family in Compton and having two of his daughters become tennis legends. This means a heavy emphasis on practice and skills - and though his nosy neighbor thinks his regimen borders on child abuse, Venus and Serena both seem keen on this plan no matter the work they have to put in. But while Williams early training is obviously fueling the two girls, in order to really put his plan in motion - he needs a coach - and one that will work for peanuts at that. But that's just what he essentially butts in on Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn) - coach of Pete Sampras - and impresses him with the talents of his daughters. Cohen, however, will only coach one of the girls and Venus is given the honors with wife and mother Oracene 'Brandy' Williams (Aunjanue Ellis) taking over some of the training of Serena.
While Venus and Serena have bucked the trend most tennis players take, Cohen is adamant that the way to the pros it through the rigorous Junior Circuit. While Venus excels - as does Serena with no formal training - Richard is not convinced this is the way things should go, especially after seeing so many other players and parents either burned out or frustrated. His next move is to contact Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal), who runs a clinic in Florida responsible shaping of the best players - including the likes of Jennifer Capriati and Tommy Ho - and he sees the potential in both Venus and Serena and after a bit of light swindling from Richard, takes on the whole family even when being told the sisters only want coaching and still want to avoid the juniors.
The climax of the film has Venus in a match for the ages when she is set against the world's number one player, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in a major Juniors Tournament, after years of avoiding matchups against other players. The rest, as they say, is history.
King Richard is a lot more than just tennis. It's about perseverance in the face of an entire world that doubts you - confronting issues head-on, even if it means the potential for violence or letdowns - and it's about never giving up on who you are, Richard Williams isn't about to break or even bend for any man and even if it can come across as arrogant or self-aggrandizing, he's not a man about to change for you or anyone else. Moreover, he truly cares about what happens to his girls, not just the future tennis stars, but the rest of his family. He wants them all to have a good education and keep off the streets and avoid gangs or drugs - and while he may push hard, he also pushes himself. Cocky? You bet, but it is that self-assured nature that keeps him going, and leads to a revolution in a sport that rarely sees black talent.
King Richard may skate by the more unsavory aspects of the life of Williams, but it's powerful message is still one that should be experienced and is truly an inspirational success.
