Battle of the Sexes

BATTLE OF THE SEXES

Directors : Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Year : 2017
Genre : Drama
Rating : ****

Released in 2013, James Erskine and Zara Hayes brilliant documentary 'Battle of the Sexes' told the fascinating true story behind one of the sporting worlds most tumultuous and controversial tennis matches - that of the 1973 clash between the outspoken feminist and world number one Billie Jean King and the self-styled chauvinist pig and former Gland Slam champion Bobby Riggs. With it's blend of thrilling archive footage and wonderfully interesting talking head interviews from some of the biggest names in the sport including Miss King herself, 'Battle Of The Sexes' was a fascinating expose of that cataclysmic day on the courts of Houston, Texas and would turn out to be the stand-out in a year simply bursting with terrific documentary features including 'Blackfish' and the Oscar-winning '20 Feet From Stardom'.

Now in 2017, 'Little Miss Sunshine' directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris bring the battle to the big screen once again in this hugely entertaining crowd-pleaser that blends the astonishing facts of the event with fanciful yet tasteful fiction to create a consistently engaging, frequently funny and at times, deeply moving period drama with a distinctly modern edge. For those familiar with the aforementioned documentary, the events of September 25th 1973 will come as little surprise. However, for those unaware of this extraordinary time in tennis history, be assured that, unlike other reviews, I will not spoil any of the plot for you here. What I will explore however is just how good the production and execution of the movie is and why you should make the effort to see it at your earliest convenience. Barely giving time for her Academy Award for 'La La Land' to gather dust, Emma Stone threatens to win another golden statuette with her marvelously layered and dynamic central performance as the bespectacled Billie Jean King while Steve Carell completely disappears into the role of the ridiculous and, at times, repulsive Bobby Riggs whose shockingly misogynist viewpoints and showboating determination to ''put the show back in chauvinism'' would reluctantly draw King onto the court. Together the two create a wonderfully contrasting focus and both actors serve some of the best work in their respective careers to date. 

Supporting Stone and Carell is a fine ensemble cast which include Sarah Silverman who is almost unrecognizable donning the silver-streaked wig of King's chain-smoking manager, Elisabeth Shue who is great as Rigg's estranged wife Priscilla and Andrea Riseborough who is simply wonderful in the role of Marilyn, King's hairdresser who would quickly become the object of her then-forbidden affections. Special praise must also be given the always splendid Alan Cummings who is both camp and charming as King's designer and in whom she finds an ally and kindred spirit - a final conversation between the two proving to be the films most powerful and heartbreaking moment.  

Matching the quality of the performances is the sumptuous cinematography by Linus Sandgren (regular D.O.P for David 'O Russell and Damien Chazelle) whose use of 35mm film stock perfectly emulates the look of the era while also blending in seamlessly with the context-setting archive footage scattered throughout the movies generous running time. Meanwhile, haunting hues and luscious lighting emphasise the beauty and heartache of the passionate moments between King and Marilyn which, when coupled with Nicholas Brittell's lilting underscoring, have just as much heart and underlying tension as those set on the clay of the tennis courts over which she reigns supreme.

From it's performances to it's visual pallete, 'Battle of the Sexes' is a great movie, sure to entertain both sports aficionados and tennis muggles alike. However, it isn't perfect. The script by 'Slumdog Millionaire' screenwriter Simon Beaufoy is a bit too on the nose at certain points while some of the side characters, especially those considered to be the true antagonists of the picture, are barely developed beyond their most malevolent attributes. However, even with these small faults, 'Battle of the Sexes' is still one of the best films of 2017. It is all at once a picture about the titular match, an expose of the inherent sexism in sport, a fascinating portrait of King and Riggs and a defiant war-cry for acceptance and understanding. Even before she swung the racket in 1973, Billie Jean King was and still continues to be an outspoken voice for gender equality and LGBT rights and this film is sure to add fuel to her already raging fire - something which in this time of horrifying allegations and troublesome remarks is fiercely pertinent.