It was 1973 and I was 4 years into my career. I remember it well, when Bobby Riggs beat Margaret Court in a 'challenge' tennis match. Riggs, never much of a pro tennis player, now 55 and making his living at hustling. No matter who won, the gate and publicity was the big attraction. Plus, men in general still looked down upon women in sports. So Riggs also wanted to prove that point, even an old washed-up tennis pro could beat the best woman pro.
Which brings us to this movie. Initially Billie Jean King wanted nothing to do with Riggs. Her focus was to level the playing field in professional tennis, with tough talk and negotiations to get equal pay for the women pros. But when Court lost, and so many were bad-mouthing women's tennis, she not only took the challenge, she took it very seriously. Being an opposite personality of Margaret Court, she was able to handle the antics of Riggs, and give it right back, presenting him with a gift of a small pig at center court right before their match.
Holly Hunter doesn't look or talk much like Billie Jean King did back in the 1970s, but she does a remarkably good job as her. And, while Ron Silver doesn't look at all like Bobby Riggs, in makeup and with his delivery, was a very good choice to play him. (Matt Letscher who was so good as the dastardly military man in 'Mask of Zorro' is good as Billie's gentle husband Larry King.)
The match itself would not have made a 90-minute movie, so the film also covers the Court match, much of the behind scenes talk on the pro tour, and quite a bit of preparation leaning up to the actual Billie/Bobby match. The ending is cute, where a number of girls and women are shown with script showing what they later became -- doctors, lawyers, CEOs, astronauts, etc. And, I suppose the Billie Jean King triumphs really did help motivate some young women to accomplish things that may have been out of their reach before.
However, I don't think I want to attach that much significance to the Billie/Bobby match. But it was a very visible event back 30+ years ago, and this is a very well done movie of it. Also very entertaining! On DVD.
Which brings us to this movie. Initially Billie Jean King wanted nothing to do with Riggs. Her focus was to level the playing field in professional tennis, with tough talk and negotiations to get equal pay for the women pros. But when Court lost, and so many were bad-mouthing women's tennis, she not only took the challenge, she took it very seriously. Being an opposite personality of Margaret Court, she was able to handle the antics of Riggs, and give it right back, presenting him with a gift of a small pig at center court right before their match.
Holly Hunter doesn't look or talk much like Billie Jean King did back in the 1970s, but she does a remarkably good job as her. And, while Ron Silver doesn't look at all like Bobby Riggs, in makeup and with his delivery, was a very good choice to play him. (Matt Letscher who was so good as the dastardly military man in 'Mask of Zorro' is good as Billie's gentle husband Larry King.)
The match itself would not have made a 90-minute movie, so the film also covers the Court match, much of the behind scenes talk on the pro tour, and quite a bit of preparation leaning up to the actual Billie/Bobby match. The ending is cute, where a number of girls and women are shown with script showing what they later became -- doctors, lawyers, CEOs, astronauts, etc. And, I suppose the Billie Jean King triumphs really did help motivate some young women to accomplish things that may have been out of their reach before.
However, I don't think I want to attach that much significance to the Billie/Bobby match. But it was a very visible event back 30+ years ago, and this is a very well done movie of it. Also very entertaining! On DVD.