Will is king

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving. And now we’re in the thick of holiday season. But if we could tear ourselves away from retail discounts and Prime deals online, maybe we can find time to gift ourselves a good movie.

“King Richard” is now available in theaters and HBO Max. Based on the life of the Williams sisters but from a different angle, we follow Venus and Serena through the eyes of their father. An odd trajectory for a sports film, in hindsight it’s clearly the most compelling.

Starting as the tennis stars are just children, Richard tries to hype and mold them from the beginning. We see him before we even see them, playing salesmen to perspective reps at a local country club. He’s placed front and center in the narrative, as much his hero’s journey as it is Venus’ or Serena’s.

Will Smith has had a long career in Hollywood, spanning decades. From his breakthrough in “Independence Day,” his smile has graced screens through hit making turns. In the 2000s, his charm declined a bit due to poor roles. For anyone who sat through the debacle of “Seven Pounds” or “Collateral Beauty,” you know what I mean. In many ways, this course is similar to another Hollywood star: Tom Cruise. After starring in big blockbuster hits, he also took to more respectable fair with little to no good results. After, Tom found that he didn’t need it. But Will still strived for it.

Here as Richard Williams, Smith settles into his sweet spot. True, his roles in “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happiness” were stabs in the right direction. They, however, lacked the balance Will finds here. He disappears into Richard without sacrificing charm and wit along the way. He has aged into this performance, displaying the emotional scars of a man beaten down by life. That doesn’t destroy his spirit, which he instills into his children.

Although this is the Will Smith show, it is not entirely held on his back. Aunjanue Ellis, fresh off “Lovecraft Country,” goes toe to toe as the matriarch Brandy. Her energy makes Will’s work. Together, we recognize that sensation of family. Also a molder for her girls, their teamwork make up the balk here.

Two supporting actors in Tony Goldwyn and Jon Bernthal round out the proceedings. They play straight men to Richard’s wilder antics as the film flows to its conclusion. Tony’s wariness as Venus’s first coach serves the film. As does Bernthal’s flashier second coach, as the two sisters move forward.

As you might have noticed, mentions of the Williams sisters have been given short shrift. That is by design. The script makes them more like props in the film for Smith to bounce off of at times. It isn’t into the later parts where they shine. In gut-wrenching fashion, Saniyya Sidney as Venus has an impassioned plea to her father before taking on her first major match that is effectively moving. Her delivery has no hint of affect, even elicits tears on command from us.

The final match doesn’t play as your typical, owning from the focus shift. But that doesn’t diminish its impact. By subverting it, “King Richard” transforms formula into triumph. I did see some films besides this during the break, but none had the power presented here. Will Smith will, no doubt, be given nominations and accolades and deservedly so. For a man who has been knocking it out of the park, it was time to change courts for the win. Happy viewing readers.

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