Marty Supreme

For about two hours, I thought I was watching an even better version of Uncut Gems (which is quite impossible since Uncut Gems is nearly perfect). Seeing all the things Marty was willing to do for that single win resembled what a lot of people are willing to do for their success. I even got to reflect on myself, questioning if I am ever like Marty: narcissistic egoist with a pipe dream. Perhaps I am. But what held me back from giving this film 5 stars (and ranking this film higher than Uncut Gems) was its ending. It felt…too convenient. A long-awaited win and a happy ending with the baby? This wasn’t what I was anticipating from Josh Safdie. Instead of a Disney-like fairy tale conclusion, I wish the film gave us a more realistic, accurate, and convincing end to Marty’s story. I don’t want to spoil Uncut Gems’ ending here, and sorry for comparing these Safdie films too much, but I gotta say that Uncut Gems did a phenomenal job of giving us that quite disturbing end. Safdie’s style and point was pretty clear throughout the film, which I love, but the ending kind of ruined it for me. Still, the distinct Safdie techniques that kept me on the edge of my seat were great—from the musical scores to the fast pace of the story. Definitely worth the long wait (it took so much time for this film to get released in South Korea) and the hype.