Watch Battle of the Sexes
- PG-13
- 2017
- 2 hr 1 min
-
6.7 (56,974)
In 1973, women's tennis champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) is at the top of her game, but still facing sexism and discrimination in the sport. She becomes increasingly frustrated with the lack of respect and equal pay for female athletes, and decides to take a stand by starting her own women-only tournament. Meanwhile, aging tennis player and self-proclaimed male chauvinist Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) is also making headlines with his outrageous stunts and sexist remarks. He challenges King to a one-on-one match, claiming that even at 55 years old, he can still beat any woman on the court. King reluctantly accepts the challenge, hoping to prove that women are just as capable as men in sports. But as the media circus surrounding the "Battle of the Sexes" match grows, King finds herself struggling with her own personal demons, including her attraction to another woman (Andrea Riseborough) and her complex relationship with her husband. As the match approaches, tensions rise and the pressure becomes almost unbearable for both King and Riggs. But when the historic match finally takes place, it becomes a defining moment not just for women's tennis, but for gender equality as a whole. The movie Battle of the Sexes is a powerful and timely portrayal of a pivotal moment in sports and social history. Stone and Carell both deliver outstanding performances, capturing the nuances and complexities of their characters with skill and nuance. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the sexism and discrimination faced by female athletes during this era, as well as the broader societal issues that were at play. King's fight for equal pay and treatment for women in sports is framed within a larger struggle for women's rights and civil rights more broadly, and the movie does an excellent job of interweaving these different historical threads. One of the most striking aspects of the movie is its nuanced portrayal of King's personal struggles. Stone does an excellent job of capturing King's quiet determination and her frustration with the limitations placed on her by society and the sports world. But she also portrays King's inner conflict and self-doubt with great sensitivity, making the character feel fully human and relatable. Similarly, Carell's portrayal of Riggs is not merely a caricature of a sexist buffoon, but a nuanced and complex depiction of a man grappling with his place in a changing world. Riggs is shown as a flawed but sympathetic character, struggling with his own insecurities and vulnerabilities. Overall, Battle of the Sexes is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that will resonate with audiences on many levels. It's a must-see for sports fans, history buffs, and anyone interested in the ongoing struggle for gender equality.