Former tennis champions Williams were actively involved in the production of King Richard. Their father and his stubborn drive are not undisputed, but such folds have largely been ironed out in this authorized biography. Still, the incredible story behind their success remains worthwhile. Just like the way Will Smith portrays the title hero: like a stubborn bull that doesn’t stray from his path.
Saniyya Sidney plays with vivacious Venus, Demi Singleton stays in the shadows like her younger sister Serena. The Williams sisters’ envisioned career begins in Compton, a crime and gang-ridden suburb of Los Angeles. Their father trains them on asphalted community courts, while he frantically searches for someone to prepare them for the next step.
His belief that his daughters will make it to the top is met with skepticism everywhere. The fact that tennis is a sport that is still mainly played by white Americans does not help either: some reactions are downright racist. Until the apples of his eye can show professional coach Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn) what they have and offer to train Venus. At a later moment, the Williams family also manages to attract Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal) for their tennis training. Although father Richard still keeps a firm grip on the reins.
Director Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and men) takes almost two and a half hours for his narration and is often repetitive, especially when sketching the obstacles that Richard encounters. The rare confrontations with his wife Oracene, a beautiful role by Aunjanue Ellis, are a lot more interesting from a dramatic point of view. because King Richard feels less polished at those moments and therefore more honest.