I only read in passing the infamous tennis match tagged the Battle of the Sexes at the Houston Astrodome in 1973 between the two tennis superstars of that time Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King. It's to determine which gender is more superior in playing the sport. It's laughable now but back then it was a serious thing, when being a male chauvinist is a badge of honor in society. It was shocking to see how sportscaster can mock not only women athletes but women in general on live TV. I was glad when I found out months ago that the directing team of the highly entertaining Oscar winning indie Little Miss Sunshine are on board to making a film about it.
Emma Stone, in her first role after winning the Academy Award for La La Land, proves that she's the hottest and smartest actress around in Hollywood. Her physical transformation of Billie Jean King is remarkable but most important she nailed the tennis superstar's struggle to fight for equal rights for women in the sport as well as unmasking her true sexuality. She is married but in love with her hairdresser Marilyn Barnett (played by Andrea Riseborough).
Steve Carell is vintage Steve Carell in Bobby Riggs. Like a comedian, Riggs searches for respect not only in tennis but also being a male. It's so nice to see Elisabeth Shue back on the big screen. She plays Riggs' wife Priscilla who's running out of patience with his boorishness. Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming and Bill Pullman round up the exceptional cast.
Battle of the Sexes is a well made crowd-pleaser that deserves to be seen in times of uncertainty such as now. It entertains yet it makes us realize that all of us are equal regardless of sex and gender preference. Bobby Riggs paved the way for athletes such as Michael Jordan on how to market oneself while thanks to Billie Jean King, we now have female tennis superstars such as the Williams sisters, Steffi Graf, Martina Navrativola among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment