Even though I am a sports atheist with zero interest in tennis, I would have to live under a rock not to know about the legendary Williams sisters. If it wasn’t for them occasionally dancing on the court, looking fabulous off the court and the completely contemptible and thinly veiled racist treatment these champions have received, they probably would never have stayed on my radar. When mom and I were watching previews for a different documentary, a preview for Venus and Serena came on, and mom sulked that we weren’t seeing Venus and Serena instead. Obviously mom made Venus and Serena must see TV.
Venus and Serena is a documentary that has unprecedented behind the scenes access to the Williams sisters and details their rise from Compton to the courts and their struggle to make a physical comeback after serious life-threatening health problems during 2011. My favorite parts of Venus and Serena were off camera reactions of the Williams’ mom to stupid gendered questions, being mercilessly booed at Indian Wells Masters as the American crowd rooted for their Belgium competitor and the sisters goofing around. They are so normal for a pair of Amazonian princesses. I’m glad that Venus and Serena emphasized their mother’s role in their lives and careers
Venus and Serena is a far from perfect documentary. Why do I need to know what Bill Clinton thinks of them? Keep their names out of your mouth. I could not handle the explicitly medical scenes *retch*! Until the fashion section, why do I need to hear from Anna Wintour? Also didn’t John McEnroe stay relevant in the media by talking smack about them every chance that he got? Well something changed because he is practically falling down all over himself to fawn over them, “You’re the best thing that we have in tennis.” Um hmmm. I also think that Venus and Serena should have been told in chronological order instead of jumping around because I began to lose a sense of when pivotal events actually happened. I love Wyclef Jean, but the soundtrack was a bit awkward, and I find myself randomly saying, “The heart of Serena,” which no one will understand why I find it hilarious and laughing afterwards. She dated Brett Ratner. I liked Rush Hour, but not THAT much.
I thought that the saddest part of Venus and Serena is their confession that they didn’t want to get married YET because as Jehovah Witnesses, they still believe that they have to adhere to certain gendered roles like cooking dinner for their husband because they HAVE to, not because they want to. If the Williams’ sisters believe that they have to become a certain kind of woman, there is no hope for humanity. What kind of men do they think that they deserve? I hope not men who want them to be less than what they are: revolutionary nonconforming champions. You were fearfully and wonderfully made!
Venus and Serena is a must see documentary for fans, but a flawed one for those who are unfamiliar with their career. Now that Serena has turned into the best American athlete of all times and appears to be Wonder Woman in various bodysuits and gold instead of silver bracelets in New York Magazine, I wonder what great films she will inspire in the future.