Venus and Serena (2012) User Reviews

Game, Set, Match

[kz917-1 · 6/10 · 22 May 2017]

An interesting look at the Williams Sisters. The story behind Venus & Serena's rise to fame. Tiger parents is a name too kind for their mom and dad. Their father got it into his head that they would become tennis superstars and he stopped at nothing until that became a reality. Their success gives youngsters everywhere hope at greatness.

For tennis fans, an excellent picture

[asc85 · 8/10 · 9 July 2013]

The critical reviews for this were decent, but nothing spectacular. Yet I really enjoyed this film a lot. I would say that's probably because I'm a big tennis fan, so I appreciated how much detail they went into from a career perspective, and it hit all the highlights and lowlights of their career (e.g., problems at Indian Wells, Serena's meltdown at the US Open, etc.) I was never a big fan of the sisters until the last year or so, when I realized that Serena is now in the conversation (with Graf, Evert and Navratilova) of the greatest women's tennis players of all-time. And while I haven't always appreciated Richard Williams, the proof is in the pudding of how well-adjusted Venus and Serena turned out to be.

If you're not a tennis fan, I'm not sure how much you'll appreciate this film, but I'm a big tennis fan, and thought it was great!

Great Documentary 6/10

[leonblackwood · 6/10 · 6 July 2013]

Review: This is a great documentary about the Williams sisters who have taken the tennis world by storm. The director done a good job, giving you an insight into the past and present life of the sisters and there family. You get to see many different aspects of there life's which has been an up and downhill struggle. You don't have to be into tennis to enjoy the movie because there is something for everyone and you can't help feeling emotional about there journey. Enjoyable!

Round-Up: I don't know why this movie wasn't released early last year because the people who made the film, had followed the Williams from 2011 to early 2012. Anyway, as a black man, I can't help thinking how much the sisters must have inspired other black athletes around the world. It's a true rags to riches story which will definitely make you look at the Williams sisters in a different way.

I recommend this movie to people who have followed the Williams terrific career and domination of the tennis world. 6/10

Eye-opening!

[sfsports-883-717214 · 10/10 · 29 December 2013]

This is an eye-opening film with many surprising moments. It touches on a lot of subjects and controversial moments in the Williams sisters' careers. There are some raw emotions at the core of this film, and it offers a significant glimpse into how they became the superstar athletes we know today. Even if you think you knew a lot about Venus and Serena before, you'll feel like you know much more after seeing it. The filmmakers managed to get a lot of unfiltered access, and we're lucky to see and hear the Williams discuss things you rarely get to hear them speak about. This film is touching, honest, funny, and very real. It's definitely one of the best documentaries of the year.

Excellent documentary about 2 great American champions!!

[emmabettyesther · 10/10 · 20 May 2013]

I love this documentary about these 2 extraordinary sisters and great American champions!! Even more impressive is that they are still going strong in 2013 and holding up the banner single handily for American tennis!

Kudos to Venus and Serena's extraordinary parents for instilling in them such self-belief and confidence! I hate when I watch tennis and I see tennis players looking up to their box for coaching or parents yelling out instructions. Venus and Serena were taught to believe in themselves and it shows in how they figure out to win even when they aren't playing their best tennis.

God bless these all-time greats, Venus and Serena, and God bless America!!

Inspirational

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 29 September 2020]

Venus and Serena Williams started out from modest roots in Compton, California to become two of the best, most fierce, and formidable players in the world of tennis. Coached initially by their protective and hard-driving father Richard, the pair face a series of setbacks in the form of health issues and family tragedy during the hard and exacting year of 2011 before coming back like gangbusters in 2012. Directors Maiken Baird and Michelle Major offer a loving and illuminating portrait of these remarkable ladies that doesn't flinch from addressing the tough issues of racism and how the very physical game of tennis takes an eventual substantial toll on one's body over the years as well as chronicles both good and bad moments in their storied careers. Best of all, both Venus and Serena discuss with disarming candor how they have sacrificed a good deal of their personal lives in favor of their tennis careers and openly admit that they are obsessive perfectionists who push themselves to the limit, thus giving this documentary a welcome and refreshing sense of balance. An excellent and uplifting film.