Marty Supreme (2025)
Chalamet and friends descend into ping pong madness.
Presentation:
Josh Safdie and writer Ronny Bronstein team up again to orchestrate another descent into chaos. This film structurally attempts to recycle the magic from Uncut Gems but as a ping pong period piece. The script is less stressful this time around but more fun as a result of its lively cast with unconventional actors like Tyler the Creator and Kevin O’ Leary. I think Gen Z will get a kick out of it, especially as the acting is improvisational utilizing modern speech despite being in the 1950s. The sets look fantastic especially with great lighting from Darius Khondji, but tonally the film didn’t take me back into time. I didn’t see Marty Mauser, I saw Timothee Chalamet and his personality leak through. Not that this was bad, it was a blast like watching a play from your buddies, but as Odessa states from an interview, the actors were given freedom to improvise and phrase their lines to match their personas. Actors end up feeling like props with the whole film being somewhat of a hollow gesture of chaos. The performances and casting are what you will love the film for with random and disjointed shenanigans happening left and right that just happen to be in this ping pong universe. The sports play is riveting, but contrary to the marketing this is foremost a character arc film that could have honestly been in any time period or setting, especially with the choice of nostalgic soundtrack.
Conclusion:
After his departure from Benny, it appears Josh will be taking up the mantle for their iconic stress genre films. I enjoy watching Chalamet on screen, but his boyish charm never escaped me and this felt like escapades of GenZ frolicking around the world. I was supposed to be invested in his sports journey but the ping pong ultimately felt shallow. Bronstein’s scriptwriting is gleefully entertaining throughout, but the ending will be hit or miss. The more I think about it, the more profound I think it is, but it could feel like a left field for some audiences and an unsatisfying resolution to the chaotic ride. Nevertheless, it’s fresh and it made me want more from this future filmmaking duo.
Recommendations
Not the smashing you expected.