Battle of the Sexes

Dir: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

2017

***

Typical, you wait for years for a good Tennis movie and then suddenly two arrive at once. 2017’s other Tennis movie was of course the brilliant Borg vs McEnroe, the better of the two films it has to be said. However, while Tennis is the sport both films have in common, Borg vs McEnroe is a serious drama exploring focus and those with a competitive nature, while Battle of the Sexes focuses on equality and acceptance. Borg vs McEnroe is a tremendous drama but it is serious all the way. Battle of the Sexes on the other hand is light-hearted and funny, just as the true events were. Its exactly what you’d expect from a Simon Beaufoy script and a Jonathan Dayton/Valerie Faris film that focuses on the truth – that is – it is extremely sugar-coated. My teeth didn’t quite fall out after watching but they needed a damn good brush before bed. The film is about the infamous publicity match between Woman’s Champoin Billie Jean King and former World No. 1 Bobby Riggs. King was fighting for equality within the Tennis association at the time and was vocal in her objection of discriminatory pay. King was involved in the formation of the world’s first professional all-women tour known as the Virginia Slims while Riggs was long retired and struggling with a gambling habit. Riggs, in light of the progressive women players movement, had the bright idea to put on an exhibition show to see if the women's No.1 could beat a former world champion. Either outcome would see both players make a lot of money and if the women player won it would further help the cause, so he sold it as a win-win proposition. He first approached King when she was on the all women's tour but she refused, suggesting that it would be too much of a circus and that she wanted to focus on serious tennis for women. When she was beaten by rival Margaret Court, Riggs approached Court suggesting that she was now No. 1. Riggs beat Court with ease, making him a lot of money and knocking the women's team and their campaign which was always dogged by the suggestion that they were paid less because they weren’t as good. Riggs, a retired fifty-five year old man had beaten the women's World no. 1, a professional at the top of her game and only 28 years old. King knew she had to set it straight but she did it with grace and in good humour. Riggs’ playful gimmick was to act as a chauvinist, even declaring himself as ‘The Pig’ and it pulled in the punters. The pair appeared on many TV shows and in the end it helped the game in all aspects. However, the film doesn’t quite tell the whole story. Most things that happen in the film is true – with several scenes shot like-for-like from archive footage - but many of the characters and their relationships are exaggerated, such are ‘dramatisations’ of this ilk. The other side of the story explores the relationship Riggs had with his wife and the relationship King had with her hairdresser behind her husband’s back. Homosexuality was still not accepted by most of society back in the early 70s, King was fighting for woman's right but gay rights were still very early in development, she had to concentrate on one before the other. Her husband found out about her sexuality and was supportive throughout, although I’m not sure that comes across as well as it could have in the film. Also, her relationship with hairdresser Marilyn Barnett is over-exaggerated. Barnett actually ended up suing and outing King, nearly ruining her career, which she spent many years trying to rebuild. The initial formation formation of the eight player women's group was Larry King’s idea and not World Tennis magazine founder, Gladys Heldman’s. Heldman gave it her financial backing and secured sponsorship from Virginia Slims Chairman Joe Coleman. It was Larry who founded WomanSports magazine and who started the Women's Sports Foundation though. I do get it though, a very important issue was addressed, but it’s just a shame that it was done through a piece of fiction, rather than fact. However, I believe the message comes across. It’s a very enjoyable and very likable story that is remarkably well-balanced with no real villain or smugness. King is a phenomenal player and a remarkable activist who has done more for women's rights than most people release and Riggs was one of tennis’s greatest characters, a true ambassador for the game who brought it to the public and out of the private clubs. It’s a fascinating chapter in sport told well. Its just ever so let down by a sickly-sweetness and a few clichés too many. The performances however, are brilliant and go a long way for making up for any misgivings.