Marty Supreme

This movie makes no sense, but the director and editor keep things moving at such a frantic pace that the viewer doesn't have time to ask, "what exactly is going on here?" or "why is this scene in this movie?" It reminded me of a minor Scorsese movie from 1985, AFTER HOURS, in which the protagonist got mixed up with crooks and spent a lot of time running from them. There is a lot going on in this movie, but they are for the most part unrelated to the alleged plot. Chalamet plays a character who is a so-called professional ping-pong player who has to actually make his money as a shoe salesman. He lives with relatives in a rather shabby apartment. He owes money to virtually everybody. He also has a pregnant girlfriend he is trying to pass off as his sister. But he wants to get to Japan to play in a highly publicized game of ping-pong and win a huge monetary prize. He hangs out in a sleazy bar where minor-league hoodlums play ping pong instead of pool. (I've never heard of such a place. Have you?) He has also "invented" an orange ping pong ball. (This never fits into the plot.) He somehow worms his way into the life of Gwyneth Paltrow, who is a has-been actress trying to make a comeback. She has a rich husband who is backing her career. Chalamet meets her husband and talks him into promoting the game of ping pong and giving him the money to get to Japan to participate in the tournament. But there's a catch (the husband is a sleaze): In order to get the money, he has to play some rigged games first and lose, like TV Wrestling or Roller Derby. He also has sex with the actress (who is at least 20 years his senior) at night on the ground in Central Park. (She's a classy dame.) Somehow, he becomes involved with a dog named Moses that gangsters are fighting over for some mysterious reason. The director keeps adding new complications. But "situation" is not "plot." It ultimately adds up to nothing. There is also a lot of violence, as well as humiliation games. It's all rather pointless, even though the director pumps up the action like it was INDIANA JONES. The actors, bless 'em, give it their all and do fine work, especially Paltrow. The audience was ready to cheer at the end and they did enthusiastically. I can only attribute it to conditioning. It's hard to know which is the more over-hyped movie of 2025, this one or HAMNET.

While the performances are certainly good, and the frenetic and energetic cinematography and spirit of the film is nice, the story itself feels lacking. A young man pursues his dream of becoming a table-tennis champion, and along the way there are challenges. That's pretty much it. Nothing groundbreaking. It's basically a common sports film we've all seen for the umpteenth time made to soothe the masses. Throughout the runtime, I remember thinking that it's both too long and contains things that work. Quite a few times I wondered when the film would conclude.

The film should've been tabled (tennis) for editing. The acting across the board is good and charming, with Chalamet doing all he could here, and Paltrow giving a subtle, winsome turn as a glamorous movie star. But the film does ultimately feel overlong, melodramatic, and quite formulaic. It's just another underdog-aspiring-to-be-a-champion film that just doesn't quite stick its landing. It doesn't feel as inspiring as it aims to be. The action scenes often feel unearned and like they were added in solely for shock value rather than feeling organic. And the subject matter, table-tennis, is not in itself all that compelling. While yes, the way the sport scenes are filmed is engaging and dynamic, and it's in these scenes where the cinematography shines, ultimately you're kind of just watching a guy hit a ball back and forth across tables. The main character is ornery and isn't really likeable and is rather immature for much of the film, which can be hard to watch. There is a scene involving a paddle and a butt that felt anachronistic and rather out of place. The film isn't really groundbreaking. When the film ended, I remembered thinking, is that it? And, I don't want to spoil things, but when you see the ending you'll understand: it sort of misses the mark. It's all just so predictable. Bigger swings, pun intended, could've been taken here to make the film less generic.

I did enjoy that the film felt sort of deliberate at times. A number of characters are played by actors who themselves are in a way, the characters they play. For instance, you have O'Leary, a real-life businessman, portraying a businessman; and Kawaguchi, a real-life table-tennis player, portraying a table-tennis player. This choice brought the film a kind of verisimilitude that was an interesting choice. Further, it isn't afraid to poke fun at American entitlement, stereotypical Jewish avarice and miserliness, and the gritty reality of how the American Dream isn't necessarily all it's cracked up to be. There are some touching and funny moments sprinkled throughout the film. And the music and cinematography are nice.

Overall, the film is just alright to above average. Charming performances, nice visuals, and some interesting commentary carry the film.

I tried to like it I really did but maybe it's not for me. I don't believe Timothy in this role. He's getting a lot of roles that don't fit him I think shines when we see him less if this was a model contest I guess he would win but I'm looking forward to the wave of new actors and all I can see if Timothy getting all the roles. The movie is good if you take Timothy out of it and I'm just being honest I don't believe the kid when he acts it's not just about being good looking. All the other actors did great and that's what holds the movie together.

Just left the theater on opening night and every part of me is angry that I cannot immediately rewatch. I have never understood the obsession with Timothee Chalamet: Now I see I have been missing out. He took this role and made an unlikable character on the surface so intricately woven that I couldn't help but leave the theater with tears in my eyes. A24 does it again!

Marty Supreme (2025) is a sports comedy drama movie co-written and directed by Josh Safdie of the Safdie Brothers and it is loosely inspired by the life and career of American table tennis player Marty Reisman. This is a movie I heard about a couple of months ago and it inspired me to binge through the filmography of the Safdie Brothers and it was a fun ride for me. I just finished watching this movie an hour ago and this is the best movie from the Safdie Brothers or in this case, Josh Safdie.

Positives for Marty Supreme (2025): For a movie based on a guy who played ping pong, Josh Safdie did a phenomenal job with crafting one of the best stories of 2025. It helps that Timothee Chalamet gives one of if not his best performances as Marty Mauser, who is a cocky jackass when you meet him and cares about nothing but be the best at ping pong and somehow Chalamet makes you root for this guy and you want to see him become a good person, while also trying to achieve his goal in life. I also have to say that Gwyneth Paltrow was great as Kay Stone, who is a jackass except much worse than Marty, but she is also very captivating as a character and you want to see her change and see the errors in her ways and her relationship with Marty. However, the biggest surprise in this and every movie in 2025 was Odessa A'zion as Rachel Mizler. This is a woman who I was introduced in a show called Fam (2019) and has shown up in other movies, but this was a star making performance for her and one that is deserving of Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars. She is the thing in Marty's life that gets him to change as he genuinely cares for her and wants to be a better person and their dynamic was the glue that held this movie together. You get other great supporting roles with Kevin O'Leary as Milton Rockwell, Tyler Okonma as Wally, Abel Ferrara as Ezra Mishkin and Fran Drescher as Rebecca Mauser, who help contribute something to the story that makes it feel more engaging for the audience. The ping pong games are surprisingly awesome and this is a sport that I don't really care about, but man Josh Safdie manage to make me care about this sport. And finally, the ending is so heartwarming and a satisfying conclusion to the journey for Marty Mauser as he overcomes his cocky attitude and becomes a better man in life.

Overall, Marty Supreme (2025) is a top tier movie from Josh Safdie as well as one of the best movies of 2025 and I hope to see some nominations at the Oscars for this movie especially for Chalamet and A'zion because they have earned them.