A24 recorded its largest-grossing opening weekend with the release of the highly anticipated film, “Marty Supreme,” on Dec. 25. The film follows the ruthless journey of opportunistic table tennis player Marty Mauser.
“Marty Supreme” marked the beginning of director Josh Safdie’s solo career, being his first film after splitting from his brother and co-director of nearly fifteen years, Benny Safdie. Through energetic and unconventional marketing including blimps, human ping pong balls and Timothée Chalamet’s collaboration with UK drill rapper EsDeeKid, the film quickly gained traction online, making it one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) is a charismatic shoe salesman by day and an ambitious table tennis prodigy by night, living in the Lower East Side of New York City in 1952. The movie’s plot is driven by his greed, resulting in manipulative and despicable schemes that repeatedly backfire, creating trouble and enemies. Despite his chaos-inducing chase, Marty is unable to participate in the international match that would finally crown him a monumental table tennis player. Instead of the big match, he settles for an exhibition game against his undefeated rival, Koto Endo, and beats him against all odds. Instead of basking in his glory, Marty returns home to his girlfriend (Odessa A’zion), crying at the sight of his newborn baby.
After losing a match against someone dressed in white, Mauser rebrands the classic white ping-pong ball as a vibrant orange hue, claiming the ball camouflaging with his opponent’s t-shirt caused his loss. What could have highlighted Mauser’s toxic ambition distorted into an unnecessary side plot that went down the gutter—both literally and metaphorically—after the balls were thrown out a window in a fit of rage. The plot regarding the orange balls is rendered inconclusive and distracts from the storyline, making the film feel unintentional and leaving viewers disappointed.
Still, “Marty Supreme” is an excellent script complemented by masterful acting. Particularly, Chalamet’s performance as Mauser is magnetic, gluing viewers to the screen for the entire 150 minute film. Despite being immoral and irrational—abandoning his pregnant girlfriend, committing adultery with wealthy celebrity Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), emotionally manipulating influential businessman Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary)—viewers can’t help but root for his success. Mauser’s raw thirst for wealth and status, despite being cast into a world of limited opportunity, is vicariously pursued through world table tennis domination. After witnessing his self-sabotage firsthand time and time again, viewers inexplicably view Mauser with sympathy, albeit without affection–a phenomenon perfectly executed through Safdie’s layered storytelling.
“Marty Supreme” goes above and beyond expectations, leaving viewers electrified by Mauser’s enigmatic persona and unsettlingly obsessive drive, redefining what it means to dream big.
