Review of Venus and Serena (2012) by Daria L — 09 Jul 2013

Venus and Serena is a thorough documentary on the two Williams sisters who have changed the face, image and sport of tennis forever (plus some). The first-time directing duo, Maiken Baird and Michelle Major, wisely decide against focusing their film on just one sole facet of the divinely talented sisters' lives or careers on the court(s) -- be that (1) the sheer number of un-matched wins throughout their careers; (2) their visionary and unorthodox father-slash-coach, Richard Williams, who had decided one day long ago that his two daughters were going to play tennis (unbeknownst to the girls); or (3) the girls' rise to the unlikely ranks of world champions in a predominately country club sport that was rather unwelcoming to two young African American girls from Compton.

The viewer is reminded of many of the two sisters' accomplishments ranging from early wins at clubs or school events to their high profile victories at prestigious international ones such as Wimbledon, the summer Olympic Games (from 2000 to 2012!), and the British and the Australian Opens.

The documentary was partially filmed during the 2011 tennis season which was a year neither athlete was at the top of her game as they are both aging -- for the most part, the grueling sport of tennis is a younger person's game although the sisters are still feared by nearly everybody facing them on the opposite side of a net -- and both had possible career-threatening health problems.

But as all have learned who have faced off against one of the Williams sisters, they should NEVER be counted out. The sisters are remarkable athletes and their accomplishments are awe-inspiring and many .

.. which in turn makes a simply ordinary documentary -- which is perfectly fine, though -- seem slightly inadequate.