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Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs. Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon |
In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women’s movement, the 1973 tennis match between women’s world champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men’s-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) developed. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family and wife Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue). Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.
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Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon |
Tennis Clinic with Vince Spadea
Before screening the film, I had the privilege of partaking in a tennis clinic with Vince Spadea, the film’s tennis consultant. Thank you Fox Searchlight!
Watch the video to hear more from Vince. PLUS see Elisabeth Shue and Austin Stowell show us their tennis moves! Also, there’s a snippet from the World Premiere of Battle of the Sexes with Billie Jean King – the woman is simply AMAZING.
Battle of the Sexes Press Junket
Watch to hear what she had to say about Emma Stone’s performance…
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