Sundance Review : "The Baddest Speechwriter Of All

Stephen Curry has always had a keen sense of timing.  On the court, it’s instinctual; on screen, it’s intentional. “The Baddest Speechwriter Of All “demonstrates that this isn’t just a vanity project in filmmaking, but rather a disciplined, meaningful extension of voice and values.

Co-directed by Ben Proudfoot and Stephen Curry, this documentary short focuses on Dr. Clarence B. Jones, the lawyer and trusted speechwriter for Martin Luther King Jr. Rather than recounting familiar Civil Rights milestones, the film reframes these moments through Jones’ personal experiences—highlighting his private doubts, the moral weight he carried, and the unglamorous toll of crafting words that would resonate throughout history.

What makes the film quietly powerful is its tone.  Jones isn’t portrayed as a relic or a monument; instead, he is present, sharp, occasionally hilarious, and refreshingly honest about the cost of being close to greatness.  The film acknowledges that history isn’t made solely on stage; it’s also shaped by late-night rewrites, strategic restraint, and the discipline of choosing nonviolence when anger would be easier.

Having recently won the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, the film feels perfectly timed for this cultural moment.  It avoids being preachy or overly nostalgic.  Instead, it poses a deceptively simple question: what does it truly mean to use words responsibly when they have the power to move millions?  In Jones’ perspective, authenticity is more important than performance, and conviction matters more than volume—a message that resonates with impressive clarity today.

There’s a satisfying symmetry in the collaboration between Curry, one of the most precise communicators in sports history, and Jones, whose legacy was built on the accurate use of language.  Their partnership feels genuine rather than opportunistic.  Proudfoot’s direction remains clean and focused, allowing Jones’ voice—both literal and metaphorical—to take center stage.

“The Baddest Speechwriter Of All “doesn’t shout to be heard; it doesn’t need to.  Like the speeches it pays homage to, it trusts that the right words, delivered with integrity, will make an impact.

This Sundance standout reminds us that history doesn’t belong only to those standing at the podium—it also belongs to those who help find the right words to support it.