Battle of the Sexes by Simon Beaufoy 8 out of 10

Battle of the Sexes by Simon Beaufoy
8 out of 10


In the age of MeToo and Time's Up, The Battle of the Sexes could not be more relevant and poignant.

Although The Economist of the second week of January, 2019 has an interesting article- well, all pieces are excellent in what is the best media source in the world for yours truly - from which we learn that Women (!) of an older age have turned against these movements, albeit in large part they would be the...Trump supporters that see things that way.

Billie Jean King is the main character of this film, based on real events.
She was an outstanding tennis player, number one in the world in 1973, when the story takes place.

A role model in many ways, because she was brave, strong, determined, able to cope with adversity, open minded, intelligent and the one who would become a prominent advocate of women's rights, pleading for the cause of LGBT in an age when this was difficult, to say the least.
Emma Stone, the formidable Oscar Winner has the task of bringing Billie Jean King to the screen.

The fabulous tennis player is appalled by the fact that women are paid much less than men in tournaments.
She confronts Jack Kramer, the head of the outfit that decided on the prize money.

The man is a chauvinist, but he explains it in financial terms, stating that the public wants to see the men.
Women are less competitive, can do so much less is the argument he and others like him use.

The number one woman tennis player and her colleagues are outraged because they are paid eight times - if I am not mistaken - less than men, at that stage.
Therefore they decide to walk out.

Jack Kramer aka the wonderful Bill Pullman doubts that Billie Jean King would act.
He thinks it is just talk.

Later on he would be wiser, for the heroine does not want him to comment the Battle of the Sexes, explaining she would not play if he does and mentioning the previous time when he thought she is just saying it and would not do it.
Steve Carell is wonderful as always in the role of a former tennis champion, Bobby Riggs, who is now in his fifties and one of the numerous sexist men who look down on women.

He challenges to a game any woman tennis player that he is sure he would beat, because men are superior in his view.
Using his cunning tactics, boasting and intimidating his adversary, enjoying an atmosphere of tension, Riggs manages to win his first game.

In the meantime, the married Billie Jean King has an affair with Marilyn Barnett, discovering her true lesbian inclination and seemingly love.
She is overwhelmed by the braggadocio that has won the game against one of the best women tennis players and claims the net superiority of men.

She accepts the challenge and is determined to play.
And win!

Cool, controlled, intelligent, self assured, the number one player sets some conditions, knowing she is up against a Machiavellian character.
As aforementioned, she refuses to have Jack Kramer as commentator of the Battle of the Sexes.

If they insist, she would not play.
They know she means it.

The game is difficult, for the man had won some major titles in his prime.
His opponent is superb, winning the Battle of the Sexes psychologically and on the field.

The future belongs to women, who are better adapted for an age when EQ matters more and the abuse of power by men would be over.
In the long term, not this year.