Film
Battle of the Sexes (12A)
In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women’s movement, the televised 1973 tennis match between women’s world champion Billie Jean King and ex-men’s-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs was billed as the Battle of the Sexes. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles.
The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her sexuality. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.
See this if you enjoyed: Foxcatcher, Crazy Stupid Love, Little Miss Sunshine
Read regular contributor Ben Cherry's review on our blog.
Dir. Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, US, 2017, 122 mins. Cast. Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough.
The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her sexuality. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.
See this if you enjoyed: Foxcatcher, Crazy Stupid Love, Little Miss Sunshine
Read regular contributor Ben Cherry's review on our blog.
Dir. Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, US, 2017, 122 mins. Cast. Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough.