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Timothée Chalamet spent years mastering the art of ping-pong for his role in Marty Supreme, a bracingly intense and relentlessly propulsive drama that’s less a traditional sports movie and more a captivating character study wrapped in a chaotic caper.
The film, directed by Josh Safdie-known for the nerve-shredding crime thrillers Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2020), both made with his brother Benny-unfolds with a similarly back-to-the-wall pace. Safdie co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bronstein, achieving his signature verisimilitude through Darius Khondji’s stunning 35mm film work, Jack Fisk’s gorgeously recreated 1950s sets, and a brilliantly cast ensemble.
Chalamet portrays Marty Mauser, a born hustler and preternaturally gifted ping pong player, loosely inspired by real-life American table tennis champion Marty reisman. Set in 1952, the story follows Marty as he woos Odessa A’zion impresses as force of nature Rachel Mizler
In London, Marty manages to secure a room at The Ritz and becomes entangled with kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), a former movie star attempting a comeback in a Broadway production financed by her wealthy pen-magnate husband, Milton (Kevin O’Leary). He then faces off against Koto Endo (played by real-life player Koto kawaguchi), a Japanese ping-pong superstar known for his calm demeanor, a stark contrast to Marty’s hot-headedness. The match doesn’t go Marty’s way, and upon returning to the U.S., he desperately scrambles to raise money for a rematch.
The stakes escalate dramatically, and the tension is amplified by Daniel Lopatin’s helter-skelter score. Chalamet delivers a relentlessly focused and impressively indefatigable performance, managing to extract surprising poignancy from an inherently unlikeable character. He has already received Best Actor nominations at the golden globes and the Critics Choice Awards, with an Oscar nomination widely anticipated in January.
Gwyneth Paltrow, returning to acting after a five-year hiatus, is deeply affecting as Kay Stone. She portrays a resigned woman with an intuitive understanding of the unfolding chaos. The supporting cast adds layers of credibility to the increasingly unbelievable story. Marty supreme lands its shots with precision, culminating in a nerve-jangling triumph.