Who doesn't love a good sports biopic? Something like Rocky or The Karate Kid is always reliable for a good mood, but it's even better when it's a true story. Such is the case for Battle of the Sexes, the tale of tennis star Billie Jean King.

The story follows King (La La Land Oscar winner Emma Stone), who, in the early 1970s, was at the height of her game and reigning womens' world champion. King was steadfast and determined to be the spearheading force behind powerful strides for women in the public eye, but her greatest challenge came in the form of former mens' champion, Bobby Riggs (Foxcatcher's Steve Carell). When Riggs challenged King to a "battle of the sexes," the entire world tuned in to see the outcome.

It's a safe bet to say that both Stone and Carell will recieve Oscar nominations for their work here. The extensive team of makeup artists did an uncanny job of perfecting the resemblance to the real King and Riggs, but more importantly is the charisma that each actor brings to their role. Stone's interpretation of King is determined on and off the court to be a game-changer for women, but in private settings, she is struggling with personal issues that threaten to plague her career. It's a hard balance to walk, but it's her refusal to give up or give in that makes her a memorable and relatable protagonist, even with her flaws.

Likewise, Carell is an over-the-top cartoon character, which is playing to his strengths. He was great in Foxcatcher, another sports biopic wherein he was altogether grimy and cast an uncomfortable presence, but any fan of The Office knows that Carell is at his best when he's allowed to let loose. He does so here in reckless fashion, subeverting his gambling addiction into a game for himself instead of addressing the issue. He's surrounded by problems, but his choice strategy is to simply power through it with a chipper jog, and his energy is truly infectious. He's a perfect opposite to Stone's self-serious face of progressive change.

The film is soaked in a rich 1970s aesthetic that extends beyond the already-exceptional costume design of the clothes worn, home decor, and cars driven. The music ranges from Elton John to Tommy James and the Shondells, which is no issue as far as I'm concerned, and the film itself is even shot on actual film. For those who don't know, most movies today are filmed digitally, as the process has simply become cheaper and more efficient. So few films anymore are shot on actual 70-millimeter film, but when they are, the difference is clear and noticable. Quentin Tarantino, an artist among today's directing titans, shot his last feature, The Hateful Eight, on 70-millimeter, and the style is very befitting of a film of this nature.

One aspect that stood out to me in a way that I wasn't expecting was the addressal of King's burgeoning sexuality as a lesbian. Being of the Christian faith, I don't believe in the same-sex practices, but I also don't take issue with any individuals who do. With that said, however, the scenes that address this plot point were unexpected, and watching them with my girlfriend was quite the experience. They are very minimal and imply more action than they actually show, but if you are a viewer who is sensitive to this type of material, this is your warning.

Overall, Battle of the Sexes is a very enjoyable film. It has clear themes of equality between the two genders, as well as making the most of whatever issues you might be going through, and a swift delivery of these themes through exceptional acting and aesthetic work. The vision behind the co-directors is clear and realized, and while Battle of the Sexes may not be a groundbreaking film, it is a very enjoyable one. I'm giving it three and a half out of four stars.