Already tipped for Oscar glory, this must-see film traces the rise of Venus and Serena Williams from young tennis hopefuls to global superstars. Here are eight reasons you’ll be talking about it too
In a crowded winter at the cinema, with everything from aliens to superheroes to princesses on the menu, there’s one film that everyone is talking about: King Richard. It’s the critically acclaimed biopic that follows the life of Richard “King Richard” Williams on a mission to turn his daughters Venus and Serena into tennis superstars. Having made audiences laugh, cry and burst into applause during its festival previews, what is it that makes this film so special?
1 Looks like Will Smith is finally going to win that Oscar
Having been nominated twice but never won, Will Smith’s performance is already a favourite contender for Oscar glory. Variety announced he is “now at the forefront of what is going to be a cut-throat best actor race”, and Awards Watch named him the most likely winner ahead of Denzel Washington, Benedict Cumberbatch and Bradley Cooper. The buzz is well earned, as Smith disappears into the character of Richard Williams and delivers a performance that is complicated, nuanced and intensely moving. Having been nominated twice, for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, it looks like three may be the magic number for Smith.
