Rating: 3.5 out of 4
Running Time: 150 minutes
This feature film from A24 opens exclusively in theaters on Wednesday, Dec. 24.
It’s rare that a movie literally rattles me as a critic. I’m sure that it was unintentional in at least one of a few instances that this occurs in the period title Marty Supreme, but indeed it did happen.
First off, I’m one of those people who doesn’t care for anachronistic elements and usually gets taken out of a story when they occur. Indeed, there is a lot of 1980s music in this feature which happens to be set in the 1950s. Somehow, after the first couple of times the technique was used, I not only got used to it, but started finding the soundtrack amusing. The movie also bucks trends with its generally unpleasant characters. And the third shock is a personal one that I’ll get into later. Regardless of finding so many aspects of this film jarring, I must concede that it not only works, but is among the best titles of the year.
Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) is a shoe-shop employee and equal parts talented and arrogant young table-tennis player determined to make a name for himself at any cost. We see some of the character’s biggest highs and lows over the course of the story as Marty competes to become a famous ping-pong player.
Along the way, he risks not only his career, but his own life as he gets in over his head trying to pay for a spot (as well as travel fees) in the world championship. Marty also gets involved with married, wealthy actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow) and her nasty husband (Kevin O’Leary), as well the also-married, pet-shop employee Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’zion)). All the while, Marty is playing and hustling potentially deadly strangers, including mysterious, cranky dog-owner Ezra Mishkin (Abel Ferrara).
Much like the main character, the movie is constantly on the run. The deeply flawed Marty is a schemer, selling himself and his sometimes clever, but often outrageous ideas, on the sport of table tennis to anyone who will listen. This is another interestingly jarring, yet unexpectedly fascinating story element.
From the outset, there is almost nothing about the main character that appears redeemable. He is a fascinatingly selfish character, often putting himself and others in dire straits. And it isn’t for an altruistic goal, but instead to simply become rich and/or famous.
Honestly, viewers shouldn’t feel any sympathy for this character at all. Yet, he is still compelling to watch, thanks to the sharp dialogue and phenomenal performance. Chalamet’s Marty seemingly uses every ounce of charm to keep not only the characters, but viewers invested in him. He is constantly switching gears to duck various problems (that he himself caused).
However, it’s all played in a darkly funny manner that is exciting and tense to watch.
It also helps that the majority of Marty’s associates (with the exception of a couple of close friends) aren’t any less corrupt. The approach creates a sense of chaos and makes it appear that things could turn ugly at any moment. This factor, along with the zippy pacing, doesn’t allow the viewer any time to judge these characters, only react as things get increasingly out of hand. There is a hint of possible reform towards the close, but it’s ultimately up to the viewer to decide if the sentiment will stick. Again, as initially taken aback as I was by the self-involved leads, the process works here and the film still manages to keep the viewer involved.
Of course, the tale also benefits from impressive production design, costumes and photography. This is a beautifully-mounted feature, even though many of the story locations, like a grubby and rundown hostel, are rundown and in disrepair.
The final jolt during this presentation is completely unique to me and involves two characters shouting at each other on a theater stage. Raised voices aren’t anything unexpected, but when the people are yelling names that combine into my real moniker, Glenn Kay, it took me aback. Maybe some of you readers out there have heard your full name uttered by characters in a movie, but this bizarre coincidence certainly rattled me in the moment.
Even without that bit of strangeness, Marty Supreme does a lot of unanticipated things that continually usurp expectations. So many, in fact, that it’s incredible that the picture works so well. It’s a unique, quirky and tense drama with phenomenal performances that keeps viewers on edge and wondering about all they experienced long after the final credits.
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