MovieChat Forums > King Richard (2021) Discussion > Hagiography without balls

Hagiography without balls


This could have been a million times more interesting, showing what it really means to raise a sport champion.

I am sure that becoming a top player requires lots of sacrifices.
Like, a father that pushes you, maybe even ruins your childhood, or maybe gives you a very limited view on life.
Or like being obsessive and single minded.
These people hit balls for a living, not much of an achievement when you look at it objectively.
None of these issues are even hinted at in this hagiography.

They are all portrayed as jolly, happy go lucky, well rounded heroes.
Money and "success" are great and never questioned, and they all come easy, just a few social obstacles here and there, but they are granted.
The movie has no bite and lacks balls, as if it was afraid to upset its subjects by not sucking up so intensively, or showing some deeper, maybe less complimentary, themes.

It ultimately does a disservice, because instead of aiming for greatness, this movie is content with being a sycophant.

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