It is interesting to see a film of events that happened in your lifetime. Battle of the Sexes chronicles the events leading up to the historic tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. I can remember watching this in 1973, but never was aware of how it all came to be. Super performances by Emma Stone and Steve Carell. It is so depressing to remember and see how not much has changed in the equal pay for all arena. Billie Jean set out to remedy the inequalities of the tennis world and ended up speaking on behalf of all women as she spurned the Lawn Tennis Association and founded with her husband, Larry King, the WTA. The inception of her relationship with her hairdresser, Marilyn Barnett, added a layer of complication to the procuring of sponsorships. A lesbian affair would not have been accepted by most of the population. The movie is more the BJK story and less the BR one. He is, for the most part, a washed up player, addicted to gambling and looking for the "next best thing." I bristled at the male chauvinistic remarks, realizing that I have heard similar recently.
Cast
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Emma Stone
as Billie Jean King
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Steve Carell
as Bobby Riggs
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Andrea Riseborough
as Marilyn Barnett
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Sarah Silverman
as Gladys Heldman
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Alan Cumming
as Ted Tinling
Director
- Jonathan Dayton
- Valerie Faris
This was a very complex movie that takes place after WWII. It relates the stories of two families, one black, the McAllans and one white, the Jacksons, who live on the same land. At times it was difficult to follow the stories from flashback to present. The families are strong willed and each character comes forward to demonstrate his or her personality. There are definite parallels between the strong-willed women and their relationships with their husbands. The racism is rampant and uncomfortable to watch. Blige is excellent in her portrayal of Florence, but is up against Allison Janney from I, Tonya, who will most probably walk away with the Oscar.
Cast
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Carey Mulligan
as Laura McAllan
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Jason Clarke
as Henry McAllan
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Jason Mitchell
as Ronsel Jackson
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Garrett Hedlund
as Jamie McAllan
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Mary J. Blige
as Florence Jackson
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Rob Morgan
as Hap Jackson
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Jonathan Banks
as Pappy McAllan
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Kerry Cahill
as Rose Tricklebank
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Dylan Arnold
as Carl Atwood
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Lucy Faust
as Vera Atwood
Director
