Emma Stone and Steve Carell square off in Battle of the Sexes, a movie that opts more for volleys than an ace shot. Marketed as a bit of a comedy in which Carell plays the exuberant and chauvinistic Bobby Riggs and Stone as #1 Women’s Tennis Player in the World Billie Jean King, who reluctantly agrees to play him in an exhibition match, the movie turns out to be a mildly entertaining, somewhat disappointing drama that has its moments but never comes close to match point.
The film’s final third, focused squarely on the match between the two, is when it’s at its best, but the rest of Battle of the Sexes takes a long time getting to court. King’s back story is only marginally interesting, while Riggs is more amusing than funny. Nonetheless, Stone and Carell are well cast for their roles and give it their all, even if the end result doesn’t serve up much excitement.
Battle of the Sexes is an okay movie, but despite Carell bouncing all over the place and Stone delivering a fine performance, it surprisingly fails to meet the sum of its parts.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.