Over the weekend, I watched King Richard. Currently available for a limited time on HBO Max, this movie stars Will Smith as the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Is it any good? Read on for my thoughts.

My Thoughts

I’m not a sports fan, and I’ve never seen Venus or Serena Williams play tennis, aside from highlights on TV. However, they are pop culture icons whose visage is unmistakable and omnipresent.

I didn’t realize how young Venus and Serena were when they achieved success in tennis. They are prodigies personified. And Will Smith’s depiction of their father is one of the most impressive performances I’ve seen this year. He’s odd, disciplined, and charming. A massive personality who created even bigger stars.

King Richard is an excellent movie. At roughly two-and-a-half hours, it’s substantial in length, yet its tremendous quality makes it feel much shorter. This is one of Will Smith’s greatest roles, and everyone should watch King Richard because it’s an excellent account of an inspiring against-all-odds story.