The electrifying match between King and ex-champ and hustler Riggs was billed as 'The Battle of the Sexes' and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time. The match sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Simon Beaufoy’s (Slumdog Millionaire, The Full Monty) agile screenplay mines the rich comic potential of this central rivalry while honouring the spirit, vulnerability and resilience of Billie Jean, whose off-court battle to come to terms with her own sexuality is at the pulsating heart of the story.

Stone is radiant as the player whose impact on gender politics was as powerful as her legendary forehand, while Faris and Dayton deliver aces with another sprightly, enjoyably rebellious film that relishes the fallibility of its characters, as much as their triumphs and serves as an all too timely reminder of how far we still have to go.