By Steve Crum

“I’m in the champion raisin’ business,” says Will Smith’s Richard Williams, early on in the fascinating biopic, King Richard. The brash and presumptuous Richard did indeed “raise champions”—daughters Venus and Serena, arguably the greatest names in tennis. Who would counter that?

The aptly named title showcases dad Richard, but this story is a package deal that includes Serena, Venus, and the entire Williams family. It is a stunning debut for young actors Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton—as Venus and Serena, respectively.

For Will Smith it is surely an Oscar nomination. He goes above and beyond, starkly characterizing Richard Williams. He nails it.

Director Reinaldo Marcus Green has fashioned Zach Baylin’s screenplay into 138 minutes of family dynamics, fiercely competitive tennis scenes, and grueling practice sessions. Richard is a strict task master, teaching his daughters tennis expertise much like a Marine drill sergeant as he drives his offspring to perfection. Labeling Richard as unorthodox as both a father and a coach is a truism.

The plot covers a 7-year period from the family’s roots in Compton, California. Even while Venus is in late elementary school, her father works on teaching and enhancing her tennis skills. She is older than Serena, so he focuses on her first. Serena tags along to practices as an observer. The rest of the family, including Mama Oracene (Aunjanue Ellis), most often serve as backdrops. 

Episodic sequences include dozens of occasions when Richard pushes his daughters to the limit—from night practice in the rain to exhaustive tennis court drills. His reputation as a controller encompasses firing coaches and rejecting contracts. His methods are madness to many, making one wonder if Serena and Venus would ever survive let alone succeed. 

But of course, succeed they did. (No spoiler.)

Notable others in the case are Tony Goldwyn’s Paul Cohen and John Bernthal’s Rick Macci.

Yes, the movie is about the incredible Venus and Serena Williams. But it is Richard, the King, who rules. 

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GRADE on an A-F Scale: A-