Marty Supreme
An anxiety driven, cortisol producing phenomenon which never fails to keep your attention whole way through. I say that in both the best way and worst way possible, this of course isn’t a new direction from Safdie but i’d be lying if i said it didn’t get quite frustrating. Certain plot point to drag on a bit and can feel unnecessary and other plot point feel unresolved or unsatisfying. However this film clearly prioritized being an experience over a coherent story and in that sense it’s amazing.
The main side cast all played their parts well standouts being Kevin O leary who just just portrayed himself and he was so hateable and Odessa Azion who was the only character to make me laugh out loud (not saying the movie isn’t funny i just rarely lol at films) however there were too many majorly antagonistic characters and the average side character in this movie felt like an NPC from that PS2 game Bully and it can take you out of the expereince.
Timothee Chamalet spearheads this film and I for one believe he gave an oscar-worthy performance. This is his movie from subtle facial expressions, body language and movement to overt, captivating monologues he embraced this character. Speaking of the character Marty Mauser to many comes off as unlikeable and it’s clear to see why. He’s narcissistic, irrational, dishonest, egotistical, careless and selfish yet at the same time he displays such an intoxicating passion, ambition and even charisma that you can’t help but want to root for him.
The major theme of this movie is the idea of an american dream. Set in 1950s post ww2 new york city presenting migrant workers, lots of local businesses and class imbalance from exploitative men it’s clear Safdie is critiquing this era and subsequently the era we live in today. Kevin O leary’s dick of a character is the personification of this theme blurring the lines between ambitious pride or being stuck in a rat race. Rachel’s “ambitionless” character (who i’m surprised wasn’t nominated for anything) is a great foil and raises the question whether ambition is futile in a capitalistic world. Marty’s character has the outdated goal of being ping pong world champion. The 80s soundtracks contrasting the 50s setting, whilst being bangers, also symbolize how Marty is a man out of time. This film makes you believe it’s a rocky type typical sports movie of Marty working on his skills and honing his craft however that’s not the case. The issue is not Marty’s skills it’s more his character and the world that character coexists with.
Marty Supreme is an inherently jewish movie and i don’t mean that in an instagram reels, goyslop way I mean it’s literally an instrumental part of his character that shouldn’t be overlooked. After the genocide of his people a few years ago he feels he constantly has something to prove. His true goal is not to the best ping pong player but is to leave his legacy and not be forgotten. This is shown when he breaks a piece of the pyramid to give to his mother as a gift, he is physically etching his name into history and it is why he sheds those tears at the end of the movie. Because he realizes the sight of his new born baby is the greatest proof of legacy one can ask for.