Battle of the Sexes
Emma Stone is Billie Jean King, the 1973 World Number 1 tennis player who fought for gender-equal tournament winnings. From the directors of Little Miss Sunshine and co-starring Steve Carrell.
The electrifying 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as 'The Battle of the Sexes' and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposite sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles.
- Director:
- Jonathan DaytonValerie Faris ('Ruby Sparks', 'Little Miss Sunshine')
- Writer:
- Simon Beaufoy
- Cast:
- Emma StoneSteve CarellAndrea RiseboroughAlan CummingSarah SilvermanEric Christian OlsenElisabeth ShueAustin Stowell
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressFrankly, it's surprising just how many facets of this story there are to explore, and "Battle of the Sexes" does so in such a way that should appeal to both audiences old enough to remember and those curious to know more.
Time Out
pressCarell's cartoonish antics are funny enough, but the two women are the tale's real champions.
The New York Times
pressIt was personal and it was political, which "Battle of the Sexes" gets. It was also entertainment, which is where the movie really excels.
The Guardian
pressStone is strong in a steely, unshowy role and it's rewarding to see her outside of her comfort zone; Carell is an annoying and cartoonish presence but, well, so was Riggs.
Stuff
pressAlthough, at times, the portentous dialogue threatens to overwhelm the fun factor, Battle succeeds thanks to the charisma and chutzpah of its two leads.
Newsroom
pressIt's here to entertain and keep you focussed on the action (such as it is) and it does so with aplomb, thanks to its trio of leads.
Los Angeles Times
press"Battle" is most involving when it deals not with sports or society but the personal struggles both players, especially King, were going through in the run-up to the match.
Hollywood Reporter
pressIt's game, set and match for Battle of the Sexes, a massively entertaining account of the momentous 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs that also deftly deals with the numerous social issues inherent in the carnival-like contest.
Variety
pressFrankly, it's surprising just how many facets of this story there are to explore, and "Battle of the Sexes" does so in such a way that should appeal to both audiences old enough to remember and those curious to know more.
Time Out
pressCarell's cartoonish antics are funny enough, but the two women are the tale's real champions.
The New York Times
pressIt was personal and it was political, which "Battle of the Sexes" gets. It was also entertainment, which is where the movie really excels.
The Guardian
pressStone is strong in a steely, unshowy role and it's rewarding to see her outside of her comfort zone; Carell is an annoying and cartoonish presence but, well, so was Riggs.
Stuff
pressAlthough, at times, the portentous dialogue threatens to overwhelm the fun factor, Battle succeeds thanks to the charisma and chutzpah of its two leads.
Newsroom
pressIt's here to entertain and keep you focussed on the action (such as it is) and it does so with aplomb, thanks to its trio of leads.
Los Angeles Times
press"Battle" is most involving when it deals not with sports or society but the personal struggles both players, especially King, were going through in the run-up to the match.
Hollywood Reporter
pressIt's game, set and match for Battle of the Sexes, a massively entertaining account of the momentous 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs that also deftly deals with the numerous social issues inherent in the carnival-like contest.
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