Crazy, Stupid, LOVE.
121 Mins. Starring: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Sarah Silverman, Andrea Riseborough, Elisabeth Shue, Austin Stowell, Natalie Morales, Eric Christian Olsen, Alan Cumming & Bill Pullman. Directors: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris.
Oscar season and the aces that hope to aim high are officially in full swing with this court of cinematic service. And what better way to honour seventies superstar Billie Jean King aside from Barack Obama's Presidential Medal Of Freedom than with this big picture, 'Battle Of The Sexes'? The tennis legend and amazing activist who vollyed and lobbied for gender and LGBT equality and in one fateful exhibition game and rewrote sports and social history. All on a grass court that helped pave the way for women in the workplace everywhere. Like a suffergete campaigning for a fair days equal pay in an increasingly insufferable chauvastic world. To todays entertainment universe where Hollywood is still influenced by indignant inequality and now is even exposed to the rampant misogny, sexual harassment and even rape that has plagued this now uninspired industry for only just spoke up about now decades. Stepping out of the Academy Award acclaimed dancing shoes of 'La La Land', 'Best Actress' Emma Stone (an aiding activist and role model to todays young women like fellow 'Help' co-breakout star, Jessica Chastain) slips on a pair of Adidas Presley Blue suede shoes and toes the baseline of center court, giving Jean King her accented acting queen. And from the trademark mannerisms to the memerizing transformation it's an all-encompassing embodiement on the blade-tip ice-rink scale of former Harley Quinn, Margot Robbie in Netflix's forthcoming 'I Tonya' Harding biopic. A spectacle even behind those instantly recognisable gold bifocals that are looking to frame Oscars, Stone faces 'Crazy, Stupid Love' co-star Steve Carell on the other side of the net for this let for service. The man who since that Gosling love story has swan-changed from an 'Office' comedian of 'Anchorman' foolhardy lamplight proportions to a 'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Foxcatcher' and 'Big Short' (also with Ryan) serious Academy actor. And like the Sony Classic sports drama caught straight from the foxhole, this traditional texture, modern day homage to history is seventies soaked all the way down to the old Fox Searchlight retro intro. Proving to be game, set and match to this years fellow doubles, decades done, sports match movie of the high-strung, but deucing 'Borg vs McEnroe'. As this is the Wimbledon of tennis movies.
And new balls plese because from the holy trinity of 'Field Of Dreams', 'The Blind Side' and 'Glory Road', not to mention the champ 'Ali' this is one of the greatest sporting movies with more of a story behind it of all-time. Ready to see even more love this February than a point advantage. And serving against a still seventies sexist world Emma Stone proves like she shouldnt have to that she belongs in this Fred Perry fashioned world like a Billie Jean so good M.J. probably was really singing about her. And in this Billie vs Bobby, the coralled Carell rigs up Bobby Riggs with physical and psychological impression, no imperfection. Stating that he wants to put the show back in chauvanism, you'll detest this despicable he for it, but that's just the sign of a great actor as he really does put on an all out show. As Stone with granite cutting grit and 'City Of Stars' grace (how about a victory walk corridor scene with shuffling frilled shirts that seems like a call back opposite to the soup stained, rejected walk of shame from an early 'La La Land' casting call?) subtely shines and rises above a male idiotic ideal that women are loved "in the kitchen and in the bedroom'. Showing that she'll be screwed around by nobody. She cooks with her racquet, not a pan. Even if Carell's character wants to fool around with a frying one, sugar-cane or sheep as he dresses up mockingly as Little Bo Peep for the most egotistical exhibitionism for this exhibition game Steve plays up with puerile perfection. But whilst the middle of the road game of this middle-age waning star looks to eat off the thin promise of 15 minutes of fame, young, prime, rising Stone's hard king has the thick skin to withstand all of this and let her game do the talking that writes cheques, not history and feeds more inspiration for history than fleeting fame of the moment. In this back and forth Carell's hustler knows how to pluck a buck as even the sound of his about to be rubbed together, clapping hands sounds like he's just hit a backhand. But oh how Emma's forever icon knows how to return, her retort being the people she raises not the trophy. Whilst Carell's Bobby thinks trophies are the bikini clad beauties that laugh nervously whilst he jokes they'll be washing his dishes after a photo op. But we all know who really cleans up as all bets are off for the woman who not only brings long overdue and much needed equality to gender politics, but the love of the sexes too. When Billie met Bobby makes for Academy actors Emma Stone and Steve Carell's greatest game in this movie match. But we all know who the real winner is.
And the mixed doubles of 'Little Miss Sunshine' directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris who brought the love life out of the 'Ruby Sparks' book not only come back together with Carell in this game of reunions, but also bring a full court of impressive talent. Controversial but compelling comedian Sarah Silverman continues polishing her acting resume. But unlike the fun 'Wreck It Ralph' and 'A Million Ways To Die In The West' movies that play to her hilarious strengths, 'Sexes' shows just how really good she is going to acting battle. Not even hiding behind those Tiffany Breakfast sunglasses when you really believe it's her, smoking those cigarettes that sponser the sport in satirical irony. Whilst 'Birdman', 'Oblivion' and 'The Rise Of Stalin' rising star Andrea Riseborough is a cut above the rest as Billie Jeans hairdresser, who is much more than a salon stop in a moving moment of hair and beauty. As this actress shows she is as creatively chameleonic as a new do and makeover. 'Cocktail' actress Elisabeth Shue is also here to show she's more than a 80's hairspray and diamond dress trophy wife. Whilst 'Bridge Of Spies' and 'Whiplash' standout Austin Stowell plays a magazine pin-up husband with a heart of gold most would dream of having in a locket. 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' recognisable face Natalie Morales plays another top womens tennis player in King's corner, who also in an ABC play-by-play with a legendary news anchors palm patronisingly on her shoulder shows subtely just how sickening sexism can be even when men think they're reaching at exactly the opposite. Another recognisable face Eric Christian Olsen coaches Carell in a way that wants to mentor the real meaning of sport that does not sort through the money. But its the biggest names that pay off here. The theatrical, nightcrawling Vegas Cabaret star Alan Cumming is fantastic as a fashion designer, letting the stars stand out behind the sequins and seams. Whilst Presidential Bill Pullman is the great equalizer here playing the real villain here with scotch scoffing, bewildered boy behaviour. And to think this was the man that inspired the world against an alien invasion. We thought he was about independence?! But we know one woman who is. Standing up for everybody's individuality. Man, woman and whom ever you choose to love. Because there's more to this 'Battle Of Sexes', than man vs woman on a need to be even, level playing field. There's more to break here than a simple serve. And after this yearning year this fall favourite is a refreshing break like a bottle of orange cordial courtside. Something that plays hard to entertain on screen, but works even harder behind the scenes to educate. 'Battle Of The Sexes' takes on discrimination in all forms and serves for equality. Advantage...everybody! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Borg vs McEnroe', 'Crazy, Stupid Love', 'Foxcatcher'.
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