Since the Oscar fiasco, no one seems to be talking about King Richard, the film Will Smith won Best Actor for. He delivered a brilliant performance as Richard Williams, the father of tennis icons, Venus and Serena. You can watch it now on HBO Max. The story is about Richard coaching his two daughters while instilling in them important life principles. This is criticized throughout the film as it was during the time.

Richard’s relationship with his family is beautiful, yet complex. Smith immersed himself in the role from appearance to accent. His posture can be described as sheepish, but his personality exuded brashness. He had the ability to foresee potential outcomes no one else could. Richard pushed his children to be the greatest version of themselves. When he wasn’t in drill instructor mode, he exhibited a magnetic, fun-loving charisma.

The cast is a who’s who of the hottest talent. Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton) had awesome chemistry as siblings. Those young ladies possess talent beyond their years. The mother, Oracene (Aunjanue Ellis) gave me goosebumps in how she controlled every scene. She provoked powerful emotions with grace. This is not only a drama with hints of suspense, but also master storytelling. King Richard gets an 8.5 out of 10.