Marty Supreme

 

"I have a purpose. And if you think that's some sort of blessing, it's not. It means I have an obligation to see a very specific thing through.”

Relentless, kinetic and arrogant, Marty Supreme is a propulsive pulse pounding 1950s ping pong period piece with a career best Timothée Chalamet as the titular Marty, a destructive self-sabotaging hustling table tennis talent determined to have his greatness recognised, no matter the cost. 

Discussion Points:

My new no. 1 film of the year. A relentlessly stressful, thrilling, propulsive and charismatic whirlwind that spirals around the incredible Timothée Chalamet. His Marty Mauser is a new cinema icon - equal parts brilliance and arrogance - as he hustles his way to the recognition he’s convinced he deserves. He’s a selfish swindler who uses others to get ahead and cares little for the chaos he leaves in his wake - but you somehow can’t help but root for him! He’s such an underdog, that even as he seduces and cons people, you’re enveloped into his electric orbit. Josh Safdie directs the heck out of this, channeling Scorsese, the Coen’s, Chazelle and more - with tight editing, stunning ping pong battles, action packed chases and heightened anxiety with Daniel Lopatin’s synth score further elevating the energy. It’s a truly sprawling sports crime saga that absolutely swept me up in its stressful, aspirational atmosphere. It’s sharply written, and brilliantly cast utilising an ensemble of veterans like Gwyneth Paltrow and Francis Drescher, newcomers like Odessa A’zion and unexpected talent like Tyler, The Creator and Kevin O’Leary. An absolute feat of filmmaking that’s richly told, sharply delivered and entertainingly executed! Bravo!