BATTLE OF THE SEXES (2017): Review by Brigid Presecky

Emma Stone and Steve Carell “battle” it out as co-directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton recreate the epic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. With an impressive, extensive cast list, Battle of the Sexes is a timely story of the fight for gender equality. (BKP: 4/5)

Review by Managing Editor Brigid K. Presecky

Even if the 1970s were before your time, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy’s film takes you there seamlessly with the hairstyles, costumes and set decoration – and the central theme of blatant sexism. Stone morphs into King and Carell, Riggs – both so convincingly that you might forget they played father and daughter in the charming 2011 dramedy Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Here, they’re rivals with King being named the number one tennis player and Riggs, a washed-up player and gambling addict. Beaufoy and his co-directors (previous credits include Little Miss Sunshine and Ruby Sparks) make it clear from the very start that inequality is prevalent in tennis, with female players earning one eighth of their male counterparts’ salaries. But the “male chauvinist pig” that is Riggs proposes a challenge to King’s “hairy-legged feminist,” in which they play a tennis match for $100,000. Leading up to their epic showdown, however, is a personal look at King’s struggle with her sexuality as she, although married to Larry (poor, understanding Larry), she falls for her female hairdresser.

Both Stone and Carell have a range that starts from uproariously funny and finishes painfully raw, leaning more towards the latter here in unsurprisingly compelling embodiments of these tennis icons. The physicality of roles so different from the portrayers themselves is a feat unto itself, really. As does the set design and world created to capture the time and tone of the early 1970s.

When King’s husband Larry realizes her burgeoning love affair with her hair stylist, his reaction is surprising but never quite elaborated on. With a lengthy running time, you’re left with wanting more. Unfortunately, not more of the film, per se, but more so a lightning bolt of action to jolt viewers awake from a dull duel. Although the pace is much slower than the back-and-forth of the tennis matches, the constant parade of familiar actors fill in the dull gaps: Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, Natalie Morales (and others you will surely recognize and cock your head to figure out where you know them from). But the overflow of talent scrunched into one story leaves you wanting more time with everyone else but King and Riggs themselves.

© Brigid Presecky (9/23/17) FF2 Media

Photo Credits

Top Photo: Steve Carell as “Bobby Riggs” wears the logo of his oblivious sponsor 🙁

Bottom Photo: Emma Stone as “Billie Jean King” fights for equal rights including pay equity 🙂

Photos by Melinda Sue Gordon © 2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Q: Does Battle of the Sexes pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test? 

Absolutely and for multiple reasons 🙂

Comments by FF2 Media Editor-in-Chief Jan Lisa Huttner

It is second nature for movie audiences to focus on stars, and since Emma Stone just won an Oscar last February for her candy-colored performance in La La Land, her new role as tennis star Billie Jean King is sure to be the focus of the most media interest.

So here is my advice: Do not go into the theatre looking for the “Billie Jean King BioPic” starring Emma Stone, because if you do, you might well be disappointed.

Battle of the Sexes is not a Billie Jean King BioPic. Battle of the Sexes is an acute snapshot of a fascinating moment in USA history with eerie relevance to today.

Set in 1973, Battle of the Sexes takes place in an era when a aging sports figure well past his prime could fascinate the media by issuing outlandish challenges to highly-qualified women, all the time wearing a t-shirt loudly proclaiming himsef as a “male chauvinist pig.” And how did other men react to his behavior? They cheered him on in exclusive male-only clubs and proudly betted on him in public.His major sponsor was the candy company “Sugar Daddy.” Think about it? A candy company “Sugar Daddy” but its logo on a self-described MCP and that was considered perfectly fine. OMG

Kudos to co-directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton for their brilliant evocation of this microcosmic nightmare and to screenwriter Simon Beaufoy who won an Oscar for his Slumdog Millionaire screenplay. (JLH: 4.5/5)

Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton are best-known as the co-directors of the much-loved film Little Miss Sunshine from 2006. Click here to read my interview with this phenomenal couple — partners in love and live!

“Jon: Even though we don’t wear our genders on our sleeves, you can’t deny that life experience as a man or a woman doesn’t inform the creative choices that you make… Val: It’s funny; I think we don’t really fall into those more classic male/female roles, but I’m sure if somebody observed us…” Dayton/Faris ’06 

© Jan Lisa Huttner (9/23/17) FF2 Media

Brigid K. Presecky

By Brigid K. Presecky

Brigid Presecky began her career in journalism at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. In 2008, she joined FF2 Media as a part-time film critic and multimedia editor. Receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Bradley University, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked in development, production and publicity for Berlanti Productions, Entertainment Tonight and Warner Bros. Studios, respectively. Returning to her journalistic roots in Chicago, she is now a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and certified Rotten Tomatoes Film Critic.

1,866 comments

  41. Новые семейные расстановки.
    Метод семейных расстановок по Берту Хеллингеру Структурные расстановки.
    Системно-феноменологический подход.
    Организационные расстановки.
    Семейное консультирование и психотерапия.
    Глубинные системные расстановки.

    Reply

  77. Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.|

    Reply

  86. I truly love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own site and would love to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Kudos!|

    Reply

  89. Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!|

    Reply

  90. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one today.|

    Reply

  92. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!|

    Reply

  95. What i do not understood is in truth how you’re now not actually a lot more neatly-preferred than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You know therefore considerably on the subject of this subject, made me in my view believe it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated until it’s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. All the time handle it up!|

    Reply

  96. Howdy would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a honest price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!|

    Reply

  98. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!|

    Reply

  99. After going over a few of the articles on your web page, I seriously appreciate your way of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website as well and let me know how you feel.|

    Reply

  100. I absolutely love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own site and would like to find out where you got this from or what the theme is named. Many thanks!|

    Reply
  109. Pingback: group sex porn games

  118. Hi there! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!|

    Reply

  120. I think this is among the most significant info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The site style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers|

    Reply

  122. I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.|

    Reply

  123. of course like your web site however you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell the truth however I will surely come back again.|

    Reply

  144. Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.|

    Reply

  154. I’m curious to find out what blog platform you are using? I’m having some minor security problems with my latest website and I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any solutions?|

    Reply

  186. We stumbled over here different page and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking at your web page again.|

    Reply

  222. Wow, awesome blog structure! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging glance easy. The total look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content!

    Reply

  229. I do trust all of the ideas you have introduced in your post. They’re really convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for starters. May you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.|

    Reply

  240. I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i’m satisfied to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most definitely will make certain to don?t forget this website and provides it a look regularly.|

    Reply

  254. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!|

    Reply

  282. Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff prior to and you are simply extremely great. I actually like what you have received here, really like what you’re saying and the best way in which you assert it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. That is actually a tremendous web site.|

    Reply

  362. Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My blog covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!|

    Reply

  363. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal blog now ;)|

    Reply

  373. Howdy! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. Thanks!|

    Reply

  384. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will often come back from now on. I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!|

    Reply

  396. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?|

    Reply

  398. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?|

    Reply

  399. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say that you’ve done a awesome job with this. In addition, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Chrome. Excellent Blog!|

    Reply
  457. Pingback: meritroyalbet
  469. Pingback: madridbet
  545. Pingback: child porn
  546. Pingback: fuck google
  551. Pingback: grandpashabet
  552. Pingback: child porn

  655. I think this is among the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The web site style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers|

    Reply
  855. Pingback: bahis siteleri
  942. Pingback: 2gluttony
  1334. Pingback: A片

  1492. 18 sohbet sex hatları seks numaraları ile bir numaralı cinsel boşalma numaraları. ateşli hissedeceğiniz anlarda sımsıcak numaralar. boşalmaya başlayın zevkle

    Reply

  1553. I will bookmark ofcourse I look forward your next thought provoking blog postYou ought to seriously think about working on growing this internet site into a serious voice in this marketplace sdfsdkfpjşsmlfsdfdskj

    Reply

  1679. İlgini çekebilir: Sabit Hattan Aranan Sohbet Numaraları Dul Sohbet HattıKızların telefonda gerçekte olduğu kadar etkili olmayacakları aşikar ancak sıradan bir gece geçirmek ve bazı videolar ile mastürbasyonlar yapmak yerine gerçek bir kadınla gerçek bir azgın kız ile erotik anlar yaşayarak sınırsız orgazm olmak daha mantıklı gibi 0212 ile Başlayan Sex Hatları https://rsj.babelprov.go.id/content/isotretinoin-10mg-skin-health-stevfluh?page=4#comment-112477 chat yapın.

    Reply

  1726. In sundry cases, yes, erectile dysfunction can be reversed. A bookwork published in the Minutes of Procreant Medicament institute a abatement evaluate of 29 percent after 5 years. It is important to note that uninterrupted when ED cannot be cured, the -karat treatment can reduce or take out symptoms. Source: cialis 20 mg price

    Reply

  1744. What are 5 exercises for balance viagra 50 coupon?
    In incident, closed to 70% of the men with ED in the contemplate said they felt that they are letting their associate down, and more than 40% said their partners sense they can no longer set off sex. Those feelings of self-consciousness and surplus often prospect men to latibulize their requirement from their partners.

    Reply
  1745. Pingback: sex

  1748. What texts do guys like to receive
    Erectile dysfunction is one of the men’s progenitive trim disorders. It is cognized as an ineptness of men to attain erection during lustful intercourse ordered if they are sexually excited. Other symptoms of ED are, either it remains after a dumpy while or does not occur at all. It is a repeated process. Erectile dysfunction is also called a model of impotence. Frailty is a widespread off the mark light and covers many other men’s vigour sex disorders like- too early ejaculation, need of fleshly pine, etc. Erectile dysfunction does not presuppose implicate these problems. All these problems mutual to Erectile dysfunction can be cured with the daily help of viagra for men online and other how to get viagra united states medicines.

    Causes
    Erectile dysfunction does not be undergoing any well-defined cause. There are multifarious reasons behind its occurrence. It can be- true reasons, your healthfulness problems, medicines you are taking, emotional reasons, etc. Charter out’s deliver a look on ED causes in particular. Erectile dysfunction causes are- momentous blood weight, diabetes, favourable blood cholesterol, grit diseases (Parkinson’s disability and multiple sclerosis), surgery, smutty hormone levels, lifestyle factors (smoking and drinking) and others (urgency, concern, tenseness, misgivings, cavity). Aging factors also lead to ED, but aging in itself is not a cause. Deficient testosterone levels also in some cases command to erectile dysfunction. Side effects caused past medications also coerce men unqualified in compensation erection.

    But there is nothing to worry close to as treatments are on tap with a view ED. One such ready treatment proper for ED is how much is viagra 50 mg.

    Reply
  1761. Pingback: porn
  1772. Pingback: child porn
  1773. Pingback: fuck google
  1783. Pingback: grandpashabet
  1792. Pingback: meritking
  1796. Pingback: izmir escort
  1798. Pingback: fuck
  1800. Pingback: porn
  1802. Pingback: bağcılar escort
  1804. Pingback: çeşme transfer
  1805. Pingback: yasam ayavefe
  1807. Pingback: vassycalvados.fr
  1808. Pingback: lugabet giriş
  1809. Pingback: betgross giriş
  1810. Pingback: animal porn
  1811. Pingback: jojobet
  1812. Pingback: jojobet twitter
  1814. Pingback: porn
  1815. Pingback: samsung taşınabilir ssd
  1817. Pingback: bursa travesti
  1818. Pingback: sexy
  1819. Pingback: bmw
  1820. Pingback: fuck google

  1822. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту бытовой техники с выездом на дом.
    Мы предлагаем: сервисные центры по ремонту техники в москве
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

    Reply
  1825. Pingback: ankara travesti ilanları
  1826. Pingback: sultangazi rent a car
  1827. Pingback: gebze epoksi zemin kaplama
  1828. Pingback: istanbul dental teknik servis
  1830. Pingback: prague erotic massage
  1831. Pingback: prague tantra massage
  1832. Pingback: inovapin.com
  1833. Pingback: Konya SEO Uzmanı
  1834. Pingback: Konya Evden Eve Nakliyat
  1835. Pingback: Konya Evden Eve Nakliyat
  1836. Pingback: find location by phone number
  1837. Pingback: Buy instagram followers
  1838. Pingback: web tasarım fiyatları
  1839. Pingback: kütahya günlük apart daire
  1842. Pingback: takipçi satın al tumblr
  1843. Pingback: football skills
  1844. Pingback: kütahya günlük apart

  1855. Предлагаем услуги профессиональных инженеров офицальной мастерской.
    Еслли вы искали официальный сервисный центр xiaomi, можете посмотреть на сайте: сервисный центр xiaomi в москве
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

    Reply
  1856. Pingback: yapay kızlık zarı
  1857. Pingback: meritking giriş
  1858. Pingback: karşıyaka psikolog

  1860. equilibrando
    Dispositivos de calibracion: esencial para el rendimiento fluido y eficiente de las dispositivos.

    En el ambito de la innovacion moderna, donde la rendimiento y la estabilidad del aparato son de alta relevancia, los dispositivos de balanceo cumplen un tarea vital. Estos dispositivos especificos estan concebidos para calibrar y estabilizar elementos giratorias, ya sea en herramientas productiva, vehiculos de movilidad o incluso en electrodomesticos domesticos.

    Para los especialistas en soporte de dispositivos y los especialistas, trabajar con dispositivos de ajuste es crucial para proteger el funcionamiento estable y estable de cualquier mecanismo movil. Gracias a estas soluciones avanzadas sofisticadas, es posible limitar significativamente las movimientos, el zumbido y la tension sobre los rodamientos, extendiendo la vida util de componentes caros.

    Igualmente significativo es el tarea que desempenan los aparatos de ajuste en la atencion al usuario. El ayuda tecnico y el mantenimiento constante usando estos aparatos facilitan brindar asistencias de gran estandar, elevando la contento de los usuarios.

    Para los responsables de empresas, la inversion en sistemas de calibracion y medidores puede ser importante para mejorar la productividad y desempeno de sus aparatos. Esto es especialmente relevante para los inversores que dirigen medianas y medianas emprendimientos, donde cada detalle es relevante.

    Asimismo, los equipos de equilibrado tienen una gran implementacion en el area de la seguridad y el gestion de nivel. Facilitan detectar posibles fallos, impidiendo intervenciones caras y problemas a los aparatos. Tambien, los resultados extraidos de estos equipos pueden utilizarse para perfeccionar procedimientos y mejorar la visibilidad en plataformas de consulta.

    Las zonas de uso de los sistemas de equilibrado incluyen multiples areas, desde la produccion de ciclos hasta el monitoreo ambiental. No afecta si se considera de importantes manufacturas de fabrica o pequenos talleres de uso personal, los aparatos de balanceo son fundamentales para proteger un desempeno optimo y sin riesgo de detenciones.

    Reply
  1862. Pingback: spam
  1863. Pingback: en iyi bayan azdırıcı hangisi
  1864. Pingback: izmir travesti

Leave a Reply to JimWolla Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *