Review of Gender Wars (2015) by M. C — 06 Sep 2018
This movie contains the most sensual haircut I've ever seen. Battle of the Sexes manages to tackle heavy subjects while still staying quite light and funny. Emma Stone is on her A game, I think it's the best performance I've seen from her.
She is dealing with the most important tennis match of her career while figuring out her sexuality, her marriage, and her place in feminist history. Directing partners Dayton and Faris frame everything so well, the romantic scenes feel close and personal while never claustrophobic, and the scenes of confrontation, whether social or on the court, are charged with intention and energy.
It was a strong choice to use the actual sport of tennis sparingly. This was not a movie about tennis, it was a movie about fighting for what you believe in. And it makes the climactic tennis bout so much more potent.
When the music drops out and the match begins, I found myself on the edge of my seat until the end of the movie. Also notable are the smaller players in the film. Steve Carell may also turn in my favorite performance I've seen from him, he's compelling, and even though he's the antagonist, he was never the villain.
That along with excellent support from Bill Pullman, Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming, Natalie Morales, Tom Kenny, Eric Christian Olsen, Elisabeth Shue, Chris Parnell, and Fred Armisen doing his weird European guy shtick.
This movie has such a stellar cast. One of the best movies of the year.
This review of Gender Wars (2015) was written by M. C on 06 Sep 2018.
Gender Wars has generally received mixed reviews.
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