Coming in, I was expecting a deeply serious film, drenched in commentaries against prejudice ideals. Lo and behold, Battle of the Sexes was quite a surprise, as it touches on these heavy handed themes yes, but entertains with an amusing script, charming cast & transporting set pieces. Not too shabby then, for husband & wife directors Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris.
Battle of the Sexes' overall charm is centered in showcasing characters that are effortless to rally behind. The on point casting & Simon Beaufoy's writing see to this, fronted by an Emma Stone that delivers Billie Jean King's warmth & sturdiness, spurring her iconic status in both sport & feminist culture. The detailing of King's personal dilemmas furthers her appeal, as her anguish spotlights the underlying importance of her conquest, on a personal level. On the other hand, Steve Carrell portrays the hustler Bobby Riggs with comedic grace. Complimented by an engaging script, Bobby's showmanship & cuckoo mannerisms are revealed, rendering a character difficult to detest, with his chauvinistic remarks part of his grotesquely funny, circus act.
Apart from these, Battle of the Sexes as well succeeds in orchestrating the look and feel of the Billie vs Bobby affair. From the precise visuals & aesthetics that has the film seemingly crafted from the 70s, to the nail biting, staged to perfection tennis matches & charades that come with it, the throwback atmosphere that juggles around comical & intense, are conveyed.
Battle of the Sexes then, is easily a crowd pleasing sort, as it tackles important themes that parallel present issues in sport and in general. It does so with doses of levity and emotional conflicts, that authenticates the characters, the story & the important events around it.
Battle of the Sexes' overall charm is centered in showcasing characters that are effortless to rally behind. The on point casting & Simon Beaufoy's writing see to this, fronted by an Emma Stone that delivers Billie Jean King's warmth & sturdiness, spurring her iconic status in both sport & feminist culture. The detailing of King's personal dilemmas furthers her appeal, as her anguish spotlights the underlying importance of her conquest, on a personal level. On the other hand, Steve Carrell portrays the hustler Bobby Riggs with comedic grace. Complimented by an engaging script, Bobby's showmanship & cuckoo mannerisms are revealed, rendering a character difficult to detest, with his chauvinistic remarks part of his grotesquely funny, circus act.
Apart from these, Battle of the Sexes as well succeeds in orchestrating the look and feel of the Billie vs Bobby affair. From the precise visuals & aesthetics that has the film seemingly crafted from the 70s, to the nail biting, staged to perfection tennis matches & charades that come with it, the throwback atmosphere that juggles around comical & intense, are conveyed.
Battle of the Sexes then, is easily a crowd pleasing sort, as it tackles important themes that parallel present issues in sport and in general. It does so with doses of levity and emotional conflicts, that authenticates the characters, the story & the important events around it.