'King Richard' Is One of the Best Inspirational Films for Our Times

 

After reading a few reviews and listening to a couple of TV shows comment on and pose the question of whether the film King Richard was about Venus and Serena Williams, their father Richard Williams, or Will Smith just adding more coup to his long and successful acting career, I sat down and watched the film on HBO/Max. Before the film ended, I came to the realization that those critics who criticized the film were objecting to the fact that the central focus was on Richard William as the main character. These critics either did not understand or understood full well that this film was about a father who suffered much to support, protect and inspire his five daughters to be the best that they could be in a society where the majority of it saw black before they saw genus.

The film King Richard is one of many little known and often not told stories about a good father, a black father, and a good black family.  They are the flip side of the stereotype drug pushers and addicts portrayed in too many black films.

This is clearly stated in the film. King Richard was never advertised as a film strictly about Venus and Serena Williams. It is an approved biographical drama about the love and support of a black father for his children at a time and place where blacks were barely accepted. It is a story that Venus and Serena wanted the world to know about their father. Venus and Serena wanted the world to know they are who they are because of the amount of time, love, support, and protection of their father. It is their way of honoring him. Their way of saying, "Thank you, Daddy".

Perhaps those critics that wanted to diminish the film saw what was lacking in themselves. Instead of applauding the earnest efforts of a loving black father to up lift his family, it is certain from those critics bias and sarcastic remarks that they believe lashing out would degrade the film’s overall message. It did not, but we saw the critics clearly.

There needs to be more King Richards coming fore from the black communities.

King Richard is an excellent film for all ages as well as future ages to come.

 

Written by Zach Baylin

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green

Produced by    
    Tim White
    Trevor White
    Will Smith

Starring    
    Will Smith
    Aunjanue Ellis
    Saniyya Sidney
    Demi Singleton
    Tony Goldwyn
    Jon Bernthal