Battle of the Sexes
Battle of the Sexes

Battle of the Sexes

2017Movie121 minEnglish

The true story of the 1973 tennis match between world number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes83%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users84%
Director: Valerie Faris, Jonathan DaytonGenres: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Sport

Plot Summary

The 1973 exhibition match between Billie Jean King and former tennis champion Bobby Riggs is presented as more than just a sporting event. It was a pivotal cultural moment that transcended tennis, highlighting the sexism prevalent in society and the fight for equal rights. The film delves into the personal lives of both King and Riggs, exploring their motivations, struggles, and the immense pressure they faced leading up to the highly publicized match.

Critical Reception

Battle of the Sexes received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances, particularly from Emma Stone and Steve Carell, and its timely exploration of gender politics. While some found it to be a bit conventional in its storytelling, the film was widely appreciated for its blend of humor, drama, and historical significance.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film is lauded for its strong lead performances that capture the essence of King and Riggs.
  • Critics appreciated the movie's ability to address important social issues with both humor and sensitivity.
  • Some reviewers felt the narrative could have been more daring but acknowledged its effectiveness as a compelling biopic.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the excellent performances by the lead actors and the film's engaging portrayal of a significant historical event. Many viewers found the movie to be both entertaining and thought-provoking, appreciating its blend of comedy and drama while also acknowledging its relevance to contemporary discussions on gender equality.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for Emma Stone.

Fun Fact

The actual Bobby Riggs was 55 years old when he played Billie Jean King, making him significantly older than King, who was 29 at the time.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
r96sk

r96sk

Emma Stone and Steve Carell are terrific. <em>'Battle of the Sexes'</em> is an interesting look on the famous tennis match from 1973 between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. I'm sure it takes all the usual creative license that biopics ...
John Chard

John Chard

I'm not saying women are better. I've never said that. I'm saying we deserve some respect. Battle of the sexes is directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris and written by Simon Beaufoy. It stars Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Ris...
Gimly

Gimly

FULL DISCLOSURE: I saw this while I was working my ass off in a foodtruck at an outdoor cinema. I missed whole chunks of it, and it certainly didn't have my full focus. I'll give it a proper chance at a later date, and alongside that, anoth...