Battle of the Sexes

2017 • 121 minutes

About this movie

Emma Stone and Steve Carell bring their A game to this crowd-pleaser based on the electrifying true story of the 1973 tennis match between women’s champion Billie Jean King (Stone) and former men’s champ Bobby Riggs (Carell). Filled with heart, humor and biting wit, Battle of the Sexes is a triumphant celebration of the historic contest that changed the game!

Ratings and reviews

Eh, its another one of those "hollywoodisms" where they give you just enough of the truth and then project their own fantasies to fill in the rest. The performances are good. But the film definitely got dull for me around some parts. I thought they got the mannerisms of king and riggs mostly right. Riggs was a flamboyant, obnoxious, and pretty funny personality in real life. They definitely skipped out on some things. For one, they did not develop Riggs as much as they did with king. They more or less tried to make him unsympathetic as possible, which I can understand to a degree. Second, the filmmakers never mentioned Riggs's real life dealings with the mob and loan sharks. Riggs in real life borrowed and gambled alot of mob money, and of course was quite indebted to them so you will. I found that strange since the film makes a clear point of riggs being an unrepentant gambling addict.That actually would have made a more interesting film than what we have gotten. And last, the film NEVER mentions the fact that Riggs basically threw the match against King because he owed the mobsters money. Everyone who knew Riggs in real life basically confirmed this years later, but people on King's side will deny this of course. That actually would have made a more interesting film than what we have gotten.

Very flawed movie. I went into it excited and interested and came out just watching the most okay movie of 2018. It was terrible, just boring. The romantic sub plots felt forced, Bobbie Riggs personal side felt meaningful all for the movie to turn him into "blah blah men are better". And I know it's based on historic events, but c'mon. How can ever "guy" be on his side and then the nice guys re just instant good when they good for her.

Overall good movie. I think they should take "humor" out of the description, there's no real humor that I see within this movie. The movie paints what sexism and homosexuality was like back in the 70's. I can't vouch for the authentic representation, but if I were to picture what it was like - this movie is close. Upon writing this review I'm only 1/2 way through it, and looking forward to the remaining story.