Review: ‘Marty Supreme’ Is an Exhilarating Underdog Story
Josh Safdie makes a victorious solo debut as co-writer/director of this Oscar hopeful that’s already set to be A24’s biggest financial success.
The first film by Josh Safdie after his creative split with brother Benny, Marty Supreme is laced with anxiety while somehow managing to feel like a dopamine rush. Loosely based on the real-life Ping-Pong player Marty Reisman, the film is a character study that follows Marty Mauser’s pursuit to be a great tabletop tennis player, beginning in New York City during the 1950s. Timothée Chalamet gives one of his best performances yet as the smooth-talking motormouth Marty Mauser, who appears able to talk himself out of anything.
Marty is somehow always able to get whatever he wants. When things go wrong, he somehow comes out of the other side still smelling like a rose, while others might not fare so well. He’s an entitled asshole and a prick, a scammer destroying everyone in his path, whether it’s intentional or not, yet you’re still rooting for him. It’s easy to fall for his grift. Marty has an infectious self-confidence, narcissistically believing that he alone has a unique purpose, and he’s willing to do anything to fulfill it—literally. However, you don’t feel too bad for him when he gets humbled or humiliated—he deserves it—but he’s a big dreamer in the pursuit of greatness. Sacrifices will be made along the way, but Marty seems too willing to make them.
Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow—who plays fictional former movie star Kay Stone stuck in a loveless marriage to a powerful business tycoon played by Kevin O’Leary—have a fun, playful chemistry that makes you wish they had more screen time together. Odessa A’Zion is Rachel, Marty’s childhood sweetheart who’s since married someone else, but that doesn’t mean they don’t meet up for trysts. Marty and Rachel work great together as a couple of con artists. They’re a match made in heaven—or hell, depending on how you look at it.
Marty’s mother and uncle don’t understand what he wants to do and actively try to stop him, but he won’t let anything stand in his way. Fran Drescher is underused as Marty’s manipulative mother—it must run in the family. But this is about Marty’s desire to prove himself as a Ping-Pong player, and she’s standing in his way. Naturally, he wouldn’t spend too much time with her.
Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort post-breakup is an amazing feat. Marty Supreme will resonate with anyone who’s the black sheep with big dreams their family doesn’t understand.