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On the Line: The Richard Williams Story

Play trailer 1:18 Poster for On the Line: The Richard Williams Story 2022 1h 33m Documentary Biography Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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On the Line: The Richard Williams Story

Critics Reviews

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Lisa Kennedy Variety 07/19/2022
In this thoughtful documentary, Richard Williams shares his journey from Shreveport, La., to becoming the most famous sports parent. Go to Full Review
Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film 06/30/2023
4/5
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rhys R 09/26/2023 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. See more Dele V 09/21/2023 Finally a documentary about Richard Williams, the force behind the incredible Venus & Serena. Facts not fiction, this film delves into Richard's past which helped form the desire for his children to succeed despite facing the odds. I learned things about the difficulties he faced & was touched by the "humanity" of the film. See more Kadri K 09/21/2023 In many ways this film is more about race in America than about tennis. This being said, the documentary explores the history and politics of tennis and ultimately shows what it takes to become the best of the best. See more Phyllis C 09/19/2023 An extremely well-done informative and entertaining documentary about Richard Williams. I felt as if I knew him after viewing it. He was an amazing supportive force for his children. See more Lucas H 09/19/2023 I was so pleasantly surprised by this!! So incredibly moving and tightly edited. Oscar worthy fr. See more Read all reviews
On the Line: The Richard Williams Story

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Chavoita LeSane, Stuart McClave, Duncan Montgomery, Gary Ousdahl, Jack Selby
Screenwriter
Stuart McClave
Production Co
ChaVam Entertainment, McClave Lumber Company, Fremantle, Foundation, High Frequency Entertainment, Bright West Entertainment
Genre
Documentary, Biography, Sports
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 33m
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