On the Line: The Richard Williams Story

2022

1 hr. 33 min.

Documentary

Biography

Sports

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Audience Score

Told in his own words using interviews spanning from the 1980s through now, father and tennis coach Richard Williams retraces his family's journey from the courts in Compton to the grass at Wimbledon, defying every custom of the lily-white tennis establishment and fighting back against a system of oppression to raise two of the greatest champions in history -- Venus and Serena Williams.

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jedrulez2k

The film captures the complexity of Richard William by highlighting his hopeful, inspiring, and (at times) troubling relentlessness. Truly a unique and heartwarming view into Richard and the amazing story of the Williams family.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

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Rhys R

A profound and enlightening biography of an unsung legend. This film deftly explores race, class, and family through one man's journey to prove his impossible dream.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/26/23

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Larry V

This is a stunning movie that grabs your attention and holds it. For the curious, it explains. For the nosy, it reveals. For BLM, it exposes the racial prejudice covered up in Indian Wells. It is a fair and unbiased look inside Richard Williams' head. This is well-crafted and well done. Excellent and worthy movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/25/23

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Kawika 'Ryan' C

Absolutely loved the storytelling in this film. Well done!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

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Hans B

A gorgeously portrayed story of obsession and drive

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

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Kate M

King Richard had nothing on "On the Line". one the Line tells a bracing story about a father's quest to develop the greatest female tennis players of all time and against all odds. It's a must watch if you want to hear the real backstory of the Williams sisters road to stardom and the man who made it happen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

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Stuart McClave

Director

Richard Williams

Self

Billie Jean King

Self

Pam Shriver

Self

Brad Gilbert

Self

Katrina Adams

Self

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On the Line: The Richard Williams Story: Trailer 1

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Lisa Kennedy

Variety

In this thoughtful documentary, Richard Williams shares his journey from Shreveport, La., to becoming the most famous sports parent.

Jul 19, 2022

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Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

Something is gained from the presence of Richard himself, who has a vulnerability about him that you might not expect from a man who refused to be cowed by a largely middle-class, white establishment that stood in the way of his girls’ rise to fame.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 30, 2023

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Synopsis

Told in his own words using interviews spanning from the 1980s through now, father and tennis coach Richard Williams retraces his family's journey from the courts in Compton to the grass at Wimbledon, defying every custom of the lily-white tennis establishment and fighting back against a system of oppression to raise two of the greatest champions in history -- Venus and Serena Williams.

Director: Stuart McClave
Executive Producer: Brit Marling, Brenda Robinson, Charlie McDowell, Harry Gamsu, Alex Orlovsky, Alex Lieberman, Gary Lieberman, Ashley Coleman, Mathilde Jourdan, Robert Patrick Malkassian, Jonnie Forster, Rafael Chavez
Screenwriter: Stuart McClave
Production Co: Foundation, Bright West Entertainment, Fremantle, High Frequency Entertainment, McClave Lumber Company, ChaVam Entertainment
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Sports
Original Language: English