Marty Supreme Review: Timothée Chalamet Delivers a 'Fresh, Funny, and Exhilarating' Ping-Pong Comedy

Marty Supreme Review: A Wild Ride with Timothée Chalamet

From the captivating performance of Timothée Chalamet to the impeccable presence of Gwyneth Paltrow,Marty Supremeis a film generating considerable buzz. ThisMarty Supreme reviewdelves into Josh Safdie's latest offering, aping-pong comedyhailed as 'fresh, funny, and exhilarating' – and for good reason. It's a madcap journey following a young man's audacious path to becoming a table-tennis champion, built on a foundation of scams and stolen glory.

Beyond the charmingly meta or occasionally annoying real-life antics of Timothée Chalamet – from video spoofs of marketing meetings to pop-up stores featuring giant orange ping-pong balls – his portrayal of Marty Mauser is nothing short of magnetic. While his turn as Bob Dylan inA Complete Unknownearned praise last year, his role inMarty Supremetruly shines, making it an experience as vibrant and engaging as its audacious hero. It’s a film that proves the actor’s ability to transcend his off-screen persona, delivering a performance worth the buzz and the bombardment of quirky marketing.

More Than a Sports Film: Marty's Unconventional Path to Ping-Pong Stardom

Initially presenting itself as a conventional sports drama,Marty Supremeswiftly reveals its true colours as a character study of a profound screw-up. Marty Mauser, a scrawny young man with a pencil moustache and blotchy skin, works in his uncle's shoe shop on the Lower East Side of New York. Yet, his ambition to conquer international table tennis knows no bounds, pushing him to lie, scam, and steal from everyone, even those closest to him, to fund his tournament dreams.

Crucially, Marty isn't your typical lovable rogue. He's an arrogant, entitled individual, far removed from movie-star glamour. What makes this narrative so compelling is how Timothée Chalamet's inherent on-screen charisma, combined with Marty's brazen bravado and the film's sharp wit, keeps viewers captivated even when the character's actions are at their most deplorable. It’s a testament to the film’s writing and Chalamet’s captivating presence that such an anti-hero remains utterly watchable.

Josh Safdie's Signature Style Infuses 'Marty Supreme'

Co-written and directed by Josh Safdie, alongside his longtime collaborator Ronald Bronstein, the screenplay draws loose inspiration from the life of real-world table tennis legend Marty Reisman. Safdie, renowned for gritty, high-energy films like 2019'sUncut Gems(co-directed with brother Benny), brings a similar kinetic energy and textured world toMarty Supreme, albeit filtered through a comedic lens. IfUncut Gemswere a madcap comedy instead of a drama about sleazy characters, it might just beMarty Supreme. The film masterfully immerses us in Marty's working-class milieu – streets lined with small storefronts, tenement buildings crying out for a fresh coat of paint, and neighbours intimately familiar with each other's affairs.

A Gallery of Gripping Performances and Unexpected Casting

Marty himself is a product of this environment, yet his singular ambition sets him apart. His hyperactive nature is perfectly encapsulated by his declaration, “I’m not drinking caffeine.” We witness his impulsive side early on, with a quick tryst in the shoe store’s back room with his friend Rachel, vividly and amusingly portrayed by Odessa A'zion. Rachel proves to be Marty's perfect match, a schemer in her own right, adding another layer of complex character interaction.

The film takes an unexpected turn when Marty, after a comically played hold-up for money he insists is owed, travels to a UK tournament. Here, he encounters Kay Stone, a former film star impeccably brought to life by Gwyneth Paltrow, radiating the elegance of Grace Kelly. Marty's bold cold-call for a meeting leads to a fascinating dynamic, as Paltrow, with a subtle glint in her eye, reveals Kay's intrigue rather than gullibility, setting the stage for one of the film's most intriguing relationships.

Safdie's directorial prowess with actors is evident in the seamless integration of unconventional casting choices. Financial guru Kevin O'Leary, known for the reality TV showShark Tank, delivers a memorable performance as Kay's mean-spirited tycoon husband. Musician and rapper Tyler, the Creator (Tyler Okonma) brings vibrant energy to Wally, Marty's partner in ping-pong hustles, while veteran director Abel Ferrara appears as a menacing thug. These diverse talents blend surprisingly well with Chalamet and Paltrow, enriching the film’s already colourful world.

Ping-Pong Prowess and Performance

Of course, the heart of thisping-pong comedylies in the table tennis itself. Timothée Chalamet reportedly dedicated years to training, showcasing impressive athleticism as he leaps across the court. His toughest opponent emerges as Endo, a Japanese champion whose presence carries historical weight in the post-World War Two setting. Crucially, these high-stakes matches never overshadow character development. Marty, ever the showman, whoops with delight at every point won and punches a wall in frustration at every loss, keeping us firmly connected to his mercurial personality throughout the competitive spectacle.

Ambition, Humor, and Lingering Flaws

As the narrative progresses,Marty Suprememirrors its protagonist's frantic energy, deliberately piling on outrageous twists, from sudden gunshots to collapsing ceilings. Most of this frenetic pace works brilliantly, though the film's two-and-a-half-hour runtime feels somewhat indulgent. While sequences like a long montage of Marty's global escapades (including playing ping-pong against a trained seal) are entertaining, they occasionally feel like detours that could have been trimmed, hindering the overall pacing.

Regrettably, the film stumbles in its final act, succumbing to the most clichéd sports-movie tropes. Not one, but two big matches unfold with tired glances at scoreboards and predictable audience reactions signalling victories. This is followed by an uninventive, sentimental ending. A film as bracingly original and ambitious asMarty Supremedeserved a more inventive resolution, one that echoed its earlier boundary-pushing spirit.

However, the sheer scope, ambition, and sharp humour ofMarty Supremeultimately make its imperfections, much like Timothée Chalamet's engaging off-screen exploits, easy to forgive and overlook. This film is a compelling, energetic experience that stands out in its genre.

Marty Supremearrives in US cinemas on December 25th and in the UK on December 26th. Given its unique blend of comedy, compelling performances, and a fascinating anti-hero, it’s certainly worth the watch. ★★★★☆