Battle Of The Sexes: Emma Stone And Bobby Riggs

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Battle of the Sexes (2017)

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In 1973, a tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs became the most watched televised sporting event of all time. Riggs was past his prime and in and effort to regain the lost spotlight, he claimed that even at the age of 55 he would be able to easily beat the best female tennis player. Billie Jean King (one of the women he challenged), was both extremely successful and an outspoken advocate for gender equality. This biopic starring Emma Stone and Steve Carrell covers the famous match as well as the effect it had on their personal lives. I truly believe that Emma Stone can do no wrong, and in recent dramatic performances Carrell has proven to me that he is more than just a comedian. It feels …show more content…

Every year she seems to wow me more. First her wonderful supporting role in Birdman , then her Oscar-winning leading performance in La La Land, and now she has equaled that with her portrayal of Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes. From her fiery outspoken strength on gender equality to her passionate awkward confusion over her feelings for a same-sex lover to her determination and physical dominance on the tennis court, Stone captures every quality of BJK perfectly. Though the eventual famous tennis match between 29-year old BJK and 55-year old Bobby Riggs may give the film its central plot, make no mistake that this is truly King's …show more content…

Despite the actual Battle of the Sexes match being incredibly well shot and riveting, there isn't much other tennis. What we do get is a thorough exploration of BJK's budding sexuality and exploration of a same-sex relationship. It's sweetly done and handled with great respect. However, this wistful romance all occurs while King is still married to her husband Larry, and this is where the film lost me. I watched closely waiting for the moment when consequences would come, but ultimately the movie has nothing good to say about commitment in relationship, and instead keeps the focus on the positive aspect of loving whoever you love and not being ashamed. That's all well and good if you're single, but that wasn't the case

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