There’s just so much to appreciate about co-writer and director Josh Safdie‘s “Marty Supreme” that I’m a little disappointed in how lukewarm my feelings are about the film. While based on the real life story of legendary table tennis hustler Marty Reisman, the story is a fictionalized account rather than a straight biopic, with Safdie mixing elements of memoir with fantasy. It’s a project that aims high but doesn’t always find success.
The narrative follows Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a cocky, self-absorbed ping pong champ in 1950s New York. It’s an ambitious film, exploring big themes like ambition, ego, identity, and the American Dream, all wrapped in Safdie’s signature high-energy, stressful style. But for all its boldness, the movie gets bogged down by its highly unlikable protagonist. Mary is a character who’s just too hard to care about.
On the bright side, Chalamet is fantastic as Marty. He nails the character’s combination of charm and ego, capturing the way Marty’s relentless pursuit of fame and glory drives him (often to the point of self-destruction). You can see why people get sucked into his orbit, because it’s hard to resist such magnetic energy. But despite all his charisma, Marty’s such a narcissist that it’s really hard to sympathize with him. As the film drags on, it becomes harder and harder to root for this guy. By the end, I found myself hoping he’d get some kind of karmic payback rather than finding even an ounce of success. I usually can handle unlikable characters, but Marty’s overwhelming ego just made him unbearable. To be fair, the same can be said for most of the characters.
At least the supporting cast is terrific. Odessa A’zion stands out as Marty’s pregnant girlfriend, who is just as dishonest and ambitious as he is (but way more strategic). A’zion brings a devilish edge to her role, and her character ends up being far more interesting and grounded than Marty himself. Gwyneth Paltrow also shines as Kay Stone, an aging former star who is a stark contrast to Marty with her controlled approach to life. The two women, in their own ways, navigate the male-dominated world around them with crafty intelligence, providing a sharp contrast to Marty’s brashness. Watching them in action is one of the more compelling aspects of the film.
Safdie’s direction keeps the movie moving at a rapid pace, his signature style is present in full force. While this definitely adds energy to the film, it also highlights how exhausting Marty is. The movie’s fast, chaotic rhythm might’ve worked if I felt emotionally invested in Marty’s journey, but instead, it just felt like an endless spiral of his self-destructive decisions. At times, it feels less like a story unfolding and more like a series of frustrating missteps.
In trying to paint a picture of the price of ambition and the way ego can destroy relationships and opportunities, Safdie tries to tackle some weighty themes. There’s the exploration of Jewish identity in post-war America and the pressures of hustle culture, but it often gets lost in Marty’s personal story. There are moments where broader social issues come through, but they never feel fully explored.
“Marty Supreme” is a movie with a lot of potential, but it’s mostly exhausting. There’s still a lot to appreciate here, but be prepared for a character study of narcissism rather than a highly entertaining drama.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 