Film Review: ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Parallels a Fight That’s Going on Today

Submitted by JonHC on September 22, 2017 - 4:03pm

CHICAGO – Since the time of early hominids, there has been a battle raging with your side being chosen before you’re even born. It all began when men claimed they were superior to women, forcing women to fight for the right at equality. Unfortunately, it remains as alive in the 70’s, when “Battle of the Sexes” takes place, as it is now.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

We all know what a battle of the sexes entails. Most people think that it is men against women, but they would be wrong. In most of the world, especially in the US, we live in a patriarchy. Essentially, men hold most of the positions of power and therefore make most of the rules, usually to their direct benefit. What that translates into is that in America, a battle of the sexes is actually a one-sided battle with women fighting to prove to men that they are their equals and deserve to have the same rights and get the same pay for the same jobs they do. Yes, it is as frustrating as it sounds, and is what happened in the tennis world in the 1970’s.

Overtly, the “battle” we are promised happens less on the tennis court and more in the public arena. Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy is no stranger to underdog tales, especially those involving strong female characters with a filmography that includes “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”, and even “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”. He takes the fairly straightforward story of Billie Jean King and her fight for pay equality and turns it into a comment on society that also highlights the unfortunate parallels we are facing during the Trump administration. Beaufoy spotlights King’s personal life, giving the film title another meaning as she faces the tough decision of staying with a supportive man she loves, or being true to herself and being with a woman who can fulfill all of her physical, emotional, and sexual needs. Oh, also her hair styling needs, which I, personally, consider to be an important one too.

“Battle of the Sexes” opens everywhere on September 22nd. Featuring Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming and Bill Pullman. Written by Simon Beaufoy. Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. Rated “PG-13”