When Billie Beat Bobby (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Jane Anderson

Writer (WGA):

Jane Anderson (written by)

Release Date:

16 April 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

It's not just the size of your racquet. It's The Way You Swing it.

Plot:

The historic 1973 tennis match between middle-aged champion Bobby Riggs and young feminist Billie Jean King. |

Plot Keywords:

Feminist | Tennis | Slapstick | Battle Of The Sexes | Homosexuality

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Holly Hunter	...	Billie Jean King
Ron Silver	...	Bobby Riggs
Matt Letscher	...	Larry King
Bob Gunton	...	Jerry Perenchio
Jacqueline McKenzie	...	Margaret Court
Elizabeth Berridge	...	Rosie Casals
Vincent Van Patten	...	Lornie Kuhle
Caitlin Martin	...	Chris Evert
Gerry Becker	...	Ted Tinling
Kathleen Gati	...	Debbie the hairdresser
Michael Mantell	...	Sidney Schlenker
Kali Rocha	...	Connie
Maureen Mueller	...	Judith
Patrick Kerr	...	Rheo
Caroline Aaron

Also Known As:

Battle of the Sexes (USA) (working title)
Billie contre Bobby: La bataille des sexes (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for language and thematic elements.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Goofs:

Anachronisms: 1980s and 1990s Houston Astros division Pennant flags are seen hanging in Astrodome.

Quotes:

Bobby Riggs: I'm like a tiger gettin' ready to spring!

Surprisingly Funny/Poignant "documentary"-except for Willard...

This movie (which I bought on DVD, having missed the initial TV run) takes a decidedly tongue-in-cheek approach to the legendary King/Riggs "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match...which is totally appropriate! Silver and Hunter do a magnificent job of portraying the combatants, who actually cared for each other and had no ill will towards the other. The movie does a fine job of showing that their "battle" was co-opted by others, rather than by anything they actually did (though both rode the hype to their own successes).

In addition, the movie is a hoot. King's nightmare sequences are absolutely comical, and you can actually feel Riggs' bewilderment with his "hustle" that has gone completely beyond his wildest dreams, as well as spun out of his control. And, the tennis playing is quite 'serviceable', to excuse the poorly adapted pun. Also, the historical accuracy is commendable (many forget that Riggs thumped Margaret Court before playing King--an event well adapted here, as well), and ABC file footage of the event is inter-spaced nicely.

The ONLY real criticism is the use of Fred Willard as Howard Cosell. He makes NO attempt to be anything except good ol' Fred with plastic hair (not even Howard's rug looked THAT bad), and every appearance of him on screen leaves one wondering, "WHY??" A definite drag on what was otherwise an excellent production.