The sports biopic dedicated to the Williams sisters is broadcast this Sunday, June 2 on France 2in the middle of Rolland Garros. The Pathfinder returns to the good reasons to discover it.
1 The lives of Venus and Serena Williams
Venus and Serena Williams are two of the greatest tennis players in history. Before the sporting consecration at the high level, The Williams Method looks back on their childhood and their education, driven by a demanding father and pushing his daughters to become champions.
Richard Williams developed a strategy over several years to allow Serena and Venus to break into the difficult world of tennis and the film follows the evolution of the Williams family, between successes, disappointments, rejections and exploits. Biopic directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (Bob Marley One Love), The Williams Method finds its interest thanks to the nuanced portrait of Richard Williams, while avoiding certain pitfalls of the genre.
2 Will Smith’s interpretation
The episode of the slap given to Chris Rock by Will Smith at the Oscars would almost make one forget the award awarded… But in 2021, the actor won the Oscar for best actor for the first time thanks to his performance in The Williams Method.
By capturing the singularity of Richard Williams, Will Smith offers a lively, touching and authentic performance. Probably one of his greatest roles through the ambiguous life of a man driven by the desire to see his children succeed, even if it means projecting himself too much into their destiny.
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3 The world of tennis in the United States
In the 1980s and 1990s, Venus and Serena played in the heart of a competitive environment: professional tennis. The film does not hide its harshness and also addresses the rejection and intolerance suffered by the sisters. Despite everything, also showing the outstretched hands and support from the teaching staff (trainers, educators, coaches), The Williams Method paints an interesting picture of tennis in the United States several decades ago.
Just as relevant to see in the film, the almost constant conflict between Richard Williams and the professionals, convinced of certain things and opposing methods or strategic choices, if he does not see the interest in it for his girls.
