Battle Of The Sexes; Review

Steve Carrels comedic persona is the trailers carrot on a stick in but don't be fooled as the real emphasis in ‘Battle of the sexes’ is on the romanic relationships of the famous Tennis Player ‘Billie Jean King’. 

The film is an artistic biopic about female triumph in an era of rife misogyny and repression in 70s sports. Off pitch however, the real focus of the film around the social and legal barriers that a very married Billie Jean King faces when she falls in love with another woman. As the tension mounts in the run up to the tennis matches; so does the conflict between the love triangle and presents as interesting clash of empathy. At times I didn't know who I felt more sorry for; the doting husband or Billie Jean King who doesn't have the social freedom to be open about her sexuality. 

Emma stones ‘Billie Jean King’ was exceptional and delivered a real sincerity even in the small distant looks. I also believed everything she was telling the audience she was; a top level tennis player, a woman in a romantic conflict. I was convinced in her every emotion and I believed her hunger for success. I think this is particularly worth mentioning because so often I see actors in a role, where it feels like they are playing dress-up in someone else’s career but Emma stone mustered the right level of conviction for this portrayal.

There where many small details in how the scenes where constructed that created many poignant moments in the story. The detail in general was a real asset of the film as the era it was recreating felt authentic. I loved the presentation of King and Marilyn Barnetts tight-rope romance, whenever they are together the soft lighting, striking close ups and the beautiful score really had me convinced in their story.

As my emotional investment into the portrayal of Billie Jean King grew; so did my interest in the sport. This I pay high credit to the film as my heart rate has never so much as flinched for tennis before watching ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and I was perched on the edge of my seat willing for a result in a match I already know the conclusion of. Despite the film being largely centred around a sport it managed to not exclude the sport averse portions of the audience and the film created an emotional and highly entertaining experience for everyone.