There has been a great deal of hype around Timothée Chalamet’s latest outing, and I’m here to say that it is more than justified. Marty Supreme is a film told through the lens of table tennis, but it is actually about ambition, dreaming big and believing in your purpose in life, no matter what your situation.
The A24 independent original movie tells the story of Marty Mauser, a young man living in 1950s New York, chasing his dreams to no end.
The film’s beginning focuses on the development of Marty’s character, where you realise he is a ruthless smooth talker, and you also feel a deep desire to root for him. However, the film quickly feels jarring, almost as if you are experiencing whiplash and in a state of confusion, soundtracked by 1980s music. But soon you come to understand that the nostalgic yet modern vibe is deliberate, offsetting that the movie is personifying the very sport of table tennis itself, and Marty is living through the most extreme highs and lows and within his own torturous back-and-forth. It is quite genius.
It is no secret that Chalamet is in the pursuit of greatness, much like his counterpart Marty, as he previously stated in his SAG Award acceptance speech: « The truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I wanna be one of the greats. »
This dazzling performance from the passionate actor may well be what earns him his first Oscar, along with the film’s director.
I have been following the Safdie brothers’ journey for some time now, and it must be said that the two of them are among some of the most exciting directors in film right now. With films such as Good Time and Uncut Gems under their belt, the brothers decided to take their own paths in 2024 to pursue different aspects of cinema. This year alone, Benny Safdie released a stunning portrayal of Mark Kerr’s MMA journey in The Smashing Machine, which draws parallels with Marty Supreme. But now, Josh Safdie has created what can surely only be deemed as his true masterpiece.
Gwyneth Paltrow makes a classy comeback to film, where Odessa A’zion shines as Marty’s childhood sweetheart. But it is Géza Röhrig who plays a Hungarian-Jewish camp survivor called Béla, who stands out for me, alongside musician Tyler, the Creator, Tyler Okonma, in his major film acting debut, who is charming in his role as Marty’s ping pong partner.
This picture felt fresh yet disorientating, but had the core feeling of hope at its heart. It is hands down the best film I have seen this year.
