Battle of the Sexes is based on the true story of tennis legend Billy Jean King's fight for equality and LGBTI rights in the 1970s. I really enjoyed it a lot.
Emma Stone stars as Billy Jean and her nemesis, ageing, gambling-addicted, former tennis great Bobby Riggs, is played by Steve Carell. The climax of their battle is when they play each other in an exhibition tennis match which is about so much more than tennis; it's about equality for women. Stone and Carell both give really terrific performances.
Perhaps it's a sign of my age (I'm really YOUNG you guys) or a lack of interest in tennis but I didn't know this story at all. If you don't either, my suggestion is that you don't read up on it if you plan to see this film. Just go in blind and you'll enjoy it and be totally invested in what happens. Needless to say, no spoilers here!
Aussie actress Jessica McNamee plays Margaret Court and Court's views on homosexuality are relevant and played out here, though this is not a huge part of the film. It was interesting to observe the reactions of the people watching it, to both Court's prejudiced views (laughter, mainly) and to Bobby Riggs' misogynistic views (awkward laughter).
Special shout out to US comedian Sarah Silverman who plays the founder of a tennis magazine and supporter of Billy Jean and women's tennis. She is superb in this and I hope we'll see more of her on the big screen.
Here's a three star review from the Sydney Morning Herald and another three star review from news.com.au if you'd like to read more. I don't really do the star thing but feel compelled to say that I'd be a bit more generous and give it more like 3.5.
Trailer here. In cinemas now.