TIMOTHEE Chalamet may have just delivered a career defining performance in director Josh Safdie’s latest heart-pounding sports thriller, Marty Supreme. The film follows a fresh-faced ping-pong phenom, Marty (Timothee Chalamet; loosely based on real life Marty Reisman), as he talks, hustles, and fights his way to the ping-pong world championship in Tokyo, Japan. His singular focus is to challenge his newfound rival and world champion, Koto Endo (Koto Kawaguchi), for the title he feels is rightfully his. In classic Safdie fashion (just one brother this time), Marty Supreme never lets its foot off the gas. From the opening scene on, the film rages forward and pulls you into the belief and desperation that is at Marty’s, and possibly a nation’s, core.
Timothee Chalamet does a tremendous job of selling this raw passion. Maybe it’s because it mirrors his own drive as an actor, or maybe it’s because native New Yorkers are just a little off, but whatever the reason, he delivers one of the year’s best performances. Similarly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler The Creator, and Odessa A’zion all shine as Marty’s older mistress, hustling partner, and girlfriend, respectively. Even the much maligned Keven O’Leary captures the essence of a ruthless businessman ready to capitalize on any opportunity… naturally. Marty Supreme carries on in Uncut Gems footsteps, and lets Josh Safdie show off his talent as he draws the most out of a somewhat unconventional cast.
To detail all of Marty Supreme’s many diversions and side quests would take far too long, but know this is no straightforward narrative. While the overarching goal of standing at the ping-pong mountaintop is always looming, Marty has to scrape and crawl to get there. Plans that start out promising predictably fail, only to incur more hardship for our hero. Those failures come with their own new sets of demands, spawning a whole new set of plans. Each time Marty doubles down on his determination to succeed in spite of his doubters, and finds a sparkling new way to rob Peter to pay Paul. Whether that’s hustling kids at the bowling alley, finding a dog he himself lost, seducing a married woman, or subjecting himself to the whims of that very mistress’ husband, Marty will do whatever it takes to reach Japan and claim his crown.
As you sit back and watch Marty’s unwavering drive, with the triumphantly nerve wracking soundtrack seemingly never taking a breath, you can’t help but feel your heart race. Marty’s dream is commendable, but he is not a good person (at least on the surface). He does not let rules or morals slow him down. He doesn’t pause to assess a situation. He flows with the momentum and strikes when he sees a window, whatever or wherever that might be. Marty has a singular goal – greatness, and he knows he has the capability to see it through. Marty Supreme holds up the core of the American Dream and puts it on full display, warts and all. It’s up to you to decide if Marty, and all of us, have gone too far.
From the opening overture to the final scream, Marty Supreme takes viewers on a non-stop ride through the life of a New York City hustler, ping-pong prodigy, womanizer, father, shoe salesman, and above all else, competitor. The film revels in the madness caused by one failed plan after another, continuously stirring the pot until something greater comes from the entropy. Until we see a man on the mountaintop. A man who has done it all at so many others’ expense. With those oh so poor others having tried to do the same. How much is too much when it comes to achieving your dreams? What are you willing to sacrifice? What have you convinced yourself is worth breaking? Where does that leave us as a collective? Regardless of your assuredly fluid answers to those questions left in Marty’s wake, only one thing is is for certain at the end of the day, and that’s that Marty reigns supreme.
