Timothée Chalamet Shines as Player-Grifter in Marty Supreme
When one thinks of classic action cinema, images of Sylvester Stallone clinging to a cliff face in Cliffhanger or Jason Statham igniting a tech bro stronghold in The Beekeeper typically come to mind. One does not usually envision a slender, pigeon-chested table tennis player conning his way through 1950s New York to scrape together airfare for the world championships in Tokyo.
Yet, remarkably, Josh Safdie's latest film, Marty Supreme, masterfully weaves these disparate elements into one of the year's most pulse-pounding cinematic experiences.
A Post-War Prodigy's Grift
Set in the gritty, post-war landscape of 1950s New York, the film follows the scrappy Marty Mauser, portrayed with intense physicality by Timothée Chalamet. Marty is a ping pong prodigy of unnatural talent, but he has squandered his gifts, using them to swindle cash from unsuspecting opponents in table tennis halls across the city.
His sights are set on a legitimate tournament in London, seeking professional validation and public acclaim. However, Marty is his own worst enemy. His journey begins with a scandalous encounter in the stockroom of his uncle's shoe store with a customer, Odessa A'Zion's character. When denied his wages, Marty's desperation escalates; he brandishes a gun at a shop assistant, stealing the funds needed for his London airfare.
High-Stakes Deception in London
Upon arrival, believing himself superior to his teammates, Marty cons his way into a luxurious penthouse suite at the Ritz Hotel. He accumulates a staggering room service bill and catches the eye of a famous American actress, Kay, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Kay is in London with her wealthy husband, Milton Rockwell, portrayed by Kevin O'Leary. Marty embarks on a dual seduction, charming Kay in the bedroom while attempting to persuade Milton to bankroll his ambition to become the world table tennis champion.
This reckless ambition proves his downfall. His skill is no match for the world number one player, Koto Endo. Months later, returning to America penniless, Marty discovers the shoe store customer is pregnant with his child. He reverts to petty scams, desperately piecing together another airfare, this time for Tokyo, to chase the world title once more.
Brilliant Casting and Cinematic Craft
Timothée Chalamet delivers a career-defining performance, intense and physically demanding, solidifying his status as one of his generation's finest actors and making a strong case for Oscar recognition.
The film's casting is a stroke of genius. Fran Drescher excels as Marty's guilt-inducing mother, while Sandra Bernhard appears as her friend. Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi takes on the role of Gwyneth Paltrow's publicist. A particularly dark and unexpected performance comes from non-professional actor Kevin O'Leary, known as Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank.
For cinephiles, indie film titan Abel Ferrera appears as a menacing Mafioso figure. The film is visually stunning, with Darius Khondji's sepia-toned cinematography and Jack Fisk's production design vividly rendering the filth and desperation of impoverished New York boroughs.
The Safdie Signature
Director Josh Safdie, known for gritty, high-octane films like Uncut Gems and Good Time, maintains a relentless pace, mirroring Marty's constant, grifting momentum. The film is propelled by an anachronistic, ever-changing score from composer Daniel Lopatin.
Safdie and writing partner Ronald Bronstein draw inspiration from the real-life 1950s table tennis sensation and showman, Marty "The Needle" Resiman. Set against a world emerging from the shadow of the Holocaust, Marty Supreme is more than a sports film; it is a compelling study of ambition, talent, and self-sabotage.
With its brilliant performances, masterful direction, and immersive period detail, Marty Supreme stands out as a must-see cinematic achievement, proving that heart-stopping action can come from the most unexpected of arenas.
