Movie Review: ‘Marty Supreme’

While the main character has some truly questionable behavior, Safdie’s screwball drama digs into ambition, ego and the fine art of table tennis.

Timothée Chalamet in ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.

In theaters on December 25 from A24 is ‘Marty Supreme,’ the latest film from director Josh Safdie and loosely inspired by real-life ping pong players who struggled with their own ambition and their sport’s viability in the 1950s.

The movie stars Timothée Chalamet (‘Dune: Part Two’), Gwyneth Paltrow (‘Shakespeare in Love’), Odessa A’zion (‘Fam’), Kevin O’Leary (‘Shark Tank’) and Fran Drescher (‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’).

Initial Thoughts

Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.

Since deciding to go their separate ways after making the likes of stress-inducing dramas ‘Good Time’ and ‘Uncut Gems,’ who can say they expected the Safdie siblings to both put out sports-connected dramas months apart?

On the heels of Benny Safdie’s bio-drama ‘The Smashing Machine,’ here comes brother Josh’s ‘Marty Supreme’ which is more of a fictional screwball effort, albeit inspired by real-world ping pong players. But can it find more of an audience than ‘Smashing,’ which has struggled to connect?

Script and Direction

Director Josh Safdie and actor Timothée Chalamet on the set of ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.

Safdie, working with longtime collaborator Ronald Bronstein ('Daddy Longlegs') here brings a similar level of intensity to his latest, albeit the hysteria even further cut with comedy. It’s certainly made for a watchable movie full of great lines and outrageous moments, though it really will ignite debate over the central character, who is clearly talented but also treats people like dirt on his way to find sporting glory.

Safdie continues his ability to find interesting people to cast in both lead and minor roles and he imbues the whole affair with real energy.

Cast and Performances

(L to R): Tyler Okonma, Timothée Chalamet in ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.

Chalamet is the big draw here, and he’s all quirky power charisma and greed, and manages to make you root for Marty even when he’s being an absolute monster to those he claims to love and beyond.

But there are also great performances littering the film, including Gwyneth Paltrow as a former movie star grasping back towards success, ‘Shark Tank’ veteran Kevin O’Leary as an odious business type who spots an opportunity in Marty.

Final Thoughts

Odessa A’zion in ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.

‘Marty Supreme’s rhythms (and indeed its main character’s behavior) definitely won’t be to everyone’s taste. But it’s still a fascinating look at someone who puts their own needs over everyone else’s until they can’t.

‘Marty Supreme’ receives 75 out of 100.