High hopes and chaos define Marty Supreme

Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet as the central character, was preceded with excitement and social media hype. It was largely thanks to the movie’s unorthodox promo campaign with Chalamet’s unhinged fictional Marty Mauser persona taking centre stage, although a general anticipation was present considering a screwball comedy with ping pong sounds like a pretty good time as is. But if you’re going into this expecting a regular sports film with a couple of laughter-inducing moments here and there, you’re in for a ride. Several of them, actually, resulting in a crash more often than not.

Marty Supreme starts off in a fashion deceptively similar to a cookie-cutter sports film. Set in post-holocaust 1950s America, a gifted table tennis player is obligated to work in his uncle’s shoe store as a salesman thanks to his persuasive, silver-tongued ways of raking in customers. Marty Mauser’s dream of winning a championship is obstructed by innumerable hurdles, some more self-inflicted than others. Unfortunately, the tenacious Marty isn’t one to let adversity get in his way, so we’re left to enjoy the spectacle as he burns every bridge he crosses as he cons his way into funding his dreams, acting out with no regard for consequences. As a result, he implicates everyone around him, leveraging lofty promises with little regard. What follows is Murphy’s Law in action and Marty’s desperate clutches at contingencies.

Despite its impressive two-hour and 29-minute runtime, Marty Supreme moves through the chaos at a staggering pace, ensuring that you’re never bored for a second. It’s infuriating, at times, but never monotonous.

The movie comprises a star-studded cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow as Kay Stone, a retired Hollywood actress who finds herself in a messy entanglement with Marty Mauser; Odessa A’zion as Rachel Mizler, Marty’s fiercely loyal friend and love interest; and even Tyler, the Creator, as Wally, Marty’s friend who’s a taxi driver struggling to stay afloat. The cast delivers intriguing performances.

There’s very little to say about how Chalamet immersed himself in the character of the egotistical, hyper-focused, and morally ambiguous Marty Mauser. Gwyneth Paltrow’s refined coldness as Kay Stone is nothing short of charismatic as she continues calling Marty’s bluff, yet never detaches herself from the inevitable train wreck. Odessa A’zion delivers an easily believable portrayal amidst the chaotic shenanigans she gets into thanks to her ride-or-die attitude.

Marty Supreme’s soundtrack is a mix of classics like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears, “Forever Young” by Alphaville, and “The Perfect Kiss” by New Order, with original scores that blend traditional sounds with modern electronics. The soundtrack is definitely one of the highlights of the movie, along with the somewhat gloomy, yellow-tinted, and warmly lit visual aesthetics.

If you’re in the mood for a slow, sombre watch that’ll leave a lasting impression on you, Marty Supreme isn’t necessarily your destination. However, if you’re in the mood to be entertained, amused, and a little annoyed, this is definitely a film that ticks all the boxes.