When Billie Beat Bobby (2001)
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48% of users liked it
(170 ratings)
This 2001 TV docudrama relates the story of tennis' 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" between Wimbledon champions Billie Jean King (Holly Hunter) and Bobby Riggs (Ron Silver), an event considered by many to be an early victory for feminism. Riggs, 20 years past his prime, lives to wager on… More This 2001 TV docudrama relates the story of tennis' 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" between Wimbledon champions Billie Jean King (Holly Hunter) and Bobby Riggs (Ron Silver), an event considered by many to be an early victory for feminism. Riggs, 20 years past his prime, lives to wager on anything and everything. Seeing the rise of feminism, he decides he can make some money by challenging top female players, 30 years his junior, into exhibition matches. His first choice for an opponent is Billie Jean King, but she turns him down because she is too busy organizing the members of the female tennis tour into a de facto union, and winning tennis tournaments. After Bobby defeats the number one female tennis player in the world, Margaret Court, King realizes she needs to beat him. Following months of hype in which Bobby's bluster is matched at every point by Billie's confidence, the two face off in the Astrodome before a huge live and television audience. When Billie Beat Bobby was written and directed by Jane Anderson who had previously written The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom, which also featured Holly Hunter in the title role. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jane Anderson
- Genres
- Drama, Television, Sports & Fitness, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Apr 16, 2001 Wide
- Studio
- Buena Vista Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
What's truly surprising about this movie is that, despite the political weightiness and the uneven tone, it's very, very enjoyable, and very, very good.
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Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
Hunter and Silver elevate this game into something pleasantly surprising.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Holly Hunter
as Billie Jean King
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Ron Silver
as Bobby Riggs
- Caroline Aaron
- Gerry Becker
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Elizabeth Berridge
as Rosie Casals
- Trevor Goddard
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Jacqueline McKenzie
as Margaret Court
- Maureen Mueller
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Vincent Van Patten
as Lornie Kuhle
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Fred Willard
as Howard Cosell
- Michael Cavanaugh
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Bob Gunton
as Jerry Perenchio
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Matt Letscher
as Larry King
- Patrick Kerr
- Kali Rocha
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Caitlin Martin
as Chris Evert
- Abigail Mavity
- Jack Hallett
- Michael Mantell
