Recommendation: 4/5 SHOWTIME 

Plot: “A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.” -IMDB 

Review: Before the slap heard round the world, I sat down with King Richard to prepare for the 2022 Academy Awards. I left that experience believing the Oscar race for Best Actor was down to two men: Will Smith and Andrew Garfield (tick, tick... BOOM). While my choice was Mr. Garfield, I did not find myself disappointed when Mr. Smith’s name was called (despite the violence that had erupted mere moments before).  

Why? Because my job as a critic is to study the choices an actor makes, the interaction between each character on screen, the power of the story, and the collision point of every element needed to make motion picture magic happen. In the long and storied career of Will Smith, he was finally worthy of this award. Whether he should have even been in the room to accept it is a completely different question.  

Will Smith, as Richard Williams, is a man with a plan and a dream. His plan is a north star and a mission statement for his entire family. Among his crew are future doctors, lawyers, and tennis phenoms, if they can stick to the plan.  

The forces working against Venus and Serena are many. They are a Black family from Compton, California, attempting to penetrate a sport dominated by White affluent families with access to the best clubs and coaches. Yet, they have something most kids in a similar situation seem to lack; a father willing to bet it all on them and a work ethic that is second to none. Of course, these things alone will only get you so far. In almost all stories of success, we need a little luck and sometimes you must create your own.  

As Venus and Serena escape the courts of their own neighborhoods to face actual competition, we meet a story of class, race, and how the two have wrapped themselves around professional tennis. Throughout all the obstacles, Richard is there, preaching the plan and protecting his daughters. When the talent of his daughters becomes hard to ignore, the world takes notice.  

Without a doubt, Richard Williams is a controversial figure. Will Smith tows the line between obsessive father and genius coach beautifully. Never once do we see his daughters whine or complain. Like lasers, they are solely focused on the mission before them.  

What we should not lose in the story of Venus and Serena is the strength of their mother, played by Aunjanue Ellis. There is an argument between her and Richard that takes place in the kitchen of their Florida home that proves she is a force of nature and has just as much to give her family.  

As the spotlight on the girls becomes brighter and brighter, so do the stakes and potential for embarrassment. This film handles these moments with beautiful grace and humility. Giving us a behind the scenes look at the pressure facing this family, we come to understand how far they have climbed. We also leave this experience with a better understanding of the public road before them. Winning at an incredibly high level created an undue burden on the sisters, but it also gave a generation new role models. Standing in their shadow is a father who believed and a mother who was there to catch them if they fell.  

In that shadow, is an actor who gave an award-worthy performance. Will Smith's future is unknown. I do not believe we should cancel him. He and Chris Rock should forgive each other. I hope Will can find the help he needs. The world needs more of his talent, but we need him healthy first.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

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