Parents' Guide to King Richard

This moving, entertaining drama might be Smith's best acting yet; he mostly loses himself in the role of Richard Williams. While it doesn't make complete sense for Smith -- who looks nothing like Richard and doesn't even have the same skin tone -- to play Venus and Serena Williams' father, he captures Richard's essence as a strong-willed man who's ready to move heaven and earth to make his daughters' lives better than his. It's one of the rare moments in Smith's career in which viewers are more likely to see Smith's character and performance before they see Smith the actor. Yes, there are a few times in King Richard when Smith slips in his portrayal of Richard's Louisiana accent, but they're brief and early enough in the film to forgive. Smith's commitment to the role shines through, and his earnestness to give Richard his flowers as a father and visionary happily color the performance.

Equally as powerful -- if not more so -- is Aunjanue Ellis as Richard's wife, Oracene. She commands the screen with her nuanced, realistic performance of a long-suffering Black wife and mother who shared her husband's dream despite her issues with his process. She also brilliantly conveys how those misgivings sowed the seeds for the Williamses' eventual divorce. Even through her irritation and frustration, Oracene shows the love she has for Richard. Sidney and Singleton are also commendable as young Venus and Serena. Both actresses had to learn to play tennis at a level convincing enough to be believable, and their commitment comes through as they score aces that look exactly like the real thing. They also portray the balance between childlike excitement and exuberant confidence that the real-life Williams sisters have for the game, as well as their close bond. Overall, King Richard is a fantastic film for sports fans, tennis lovers, and fans of the Williams family.