Battle of the Sexes

The story unfolds in 1973, where Billie Jean King, portrayed by Emma Stone, has just achieved the remarkable title of the number one player in tennis. As this monumental moment plays out, Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) watches from home, seeing Billie Jean receive a surprising phone call from none other than Richard Nixon. Amidst a dance with her husband Larry (Austin Stowell), Gladys Heldman (Sarah Silverman) barges in, furious over a letter from Jack Kramer (Bill Pullman). Billie Jean and Gladys confront Jack about the exclusion of female players from the Pacific Southwest Open, which they believe diminishes the sport’s appeal. Determined to fight back, Billie Jean and Gladys resolve to create their very own tournament dedicated solely to female athletes.

Meanwhile, Bobby Riggs is at dinner with his wife Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue) and son Bobby Jr. (Cooper J. Friedman), where Junior’s $1 bet ignites friction given Priscilla’s disapproval of gambling, clearly one of Bobby’s major faults. Billie Jean and her squad, including Rosie Casals (Natalie Morales), Peaches Bartkowicz (Martha MacIsaac), and many others, find themselves caught in a photo shoot celebrating their $1 contracts for Gladys’s tour when Jack interrupts with a dire ultimatum: if Billie Jean proceeds with her own tournament, the ladies will be expelled from the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association. Accepting this challenge, Billie Jean informs her teammates of their banishment.

As Bobby revels in gambling, he wins a Rolls Royce, though this victory prompts a major confrontation with Priscilla, who disapproves of his habits to the extent that she kicks him out. In the midst of it all, Gladys’s players begin a new tour, enjoying a fashionable outing when Billie Jean meets her hairdresser, Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough), sparking a romantic connection, evidenced by Billie Jean’s desire for a short haircut.

Bobby attends a gamblers’ support group, seizing control of the conversation and convincing others of their poor gambling skills while he continues down a path of betting chaos. In San Diego, Billie Jean and Marilyn share an intimate night together after a vibrant escapade at a nightclub. Shortly after, Bobby challenges Billie Jean to a high-stakes match for $100,000, branding it as a showdown between “the male chauvinist pig vs. the hairy-legged feminist.” Billie Jean quickly declines the offer, but Bobby soon targets another player, Margaret Court (Jessica McNamee), who recognizes the implications of this match for Billie Jean.

As the characters’ intertwined lives deepen, Larry’s suspicions grow upon meeting Marilyn, and Billie Jean faces a fierce match against Margaret, leading her to an unexpected defeat fueled by personal turmoil. After witnessing Bobby’s shocking win over Margaret, dubbed the Mother’s Day Massacre, Billie Jean is galvanized to take on Bobby in a quest to silence his provocations.

The lead-up to the iconic match sees Bobby immerse himself in media promotions, portraying a brash persona, while Billie Jean navigates the intense pressures of victory and her own illness prior to the event. On the fateful day, Bobby dresses flamboyantly, while Billie Jean emerges resolute, surrounded by friends and loved ones. The match itself is a rollercoaster; Billie Jean rallies from an early disadvantage, ultimately triumphing as she claims victory over Bobby.

With tears of joy flowing backstage, Billie Jean embraces her friends, and Ted (Alan Cumming) offers heartfelt words of encouragement. The narrative concludes with reflections on their futures: Billie Jean finds her true love, Ilana Kloss, after a divorce, while Bobby and Priscilla remain together, and Billie Jean becomes a champion for LGBTQ rights. The film closes with touching photographs of the real-life Billie Jean and Bobby, celebrating the legacy of their legendary match.

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 07:11