Challengers

The perfect movie for people who have a thing for men with big ears and Zendaya.I feel the need to specificy that I did geniuenly adore this and not because on paper it seemed I would. I loved it for reasons expected and unexpected. And now we shall delve into a far too long review of such! I was expecting a satirical and hugely erotic movie, and even though yes, it's does have those things, I was moved by how much of a beautiful character tragedy it is. That is what came to the forefront for me as its reigning attribute. I felt more heart ache and lust in a way... though maybe those are synonymous. As is Lucas's specialty, there is masterful chemistry but more than anything there is so depth and nuance in character. So much so you always find that you know each of the protagonists on a personal intimate level. It's a kind of insight into characters and also that grasp of Greek tragedy ...that make his work always feel like it's doing something only literature can. He makes such fuckin intimate movies and I feel so in awe of it. Justin Kuritzkes made sure to do that without missing a beat in this ever smart script. What a masterclass, I hope they collab again. If the characters are mastering the game of tennis, these three feel the top of their game in performance. They are all at their best which is reallyyyyy saying something cause what a cast bro. Every moment of the movie feels so laced with tension and passion and that comes from full of life performances. I'll say it again- you hold your breath half of the movie. You hate them and also root for them- they spar and mesh so well with each other as actors, it's god damn brilliant. I refuse to agree that there's a villain in this movie because they are all so selfish and redeemable. Mirrors of each other but also flawed, cruel and good in their own ways again and again. Each causes the others downfall in some ways, and lifts them up in others. That's why it works so well. And why it feels so classically sport like. I know I need to wrap this up so I will soon okay. The filmmakering is SO full of life. It's so creative and fresh, and SooOo rich with style. I mean it's soooo stylish. Luca is so impressive in his range because all of his movies are stylish and in completely different ways. This one feels loud and tense, in your face where others are so quiet and slow. So sport like. What I've always managed to admire about sports. The camera work matching the ball, the music enhancing every moment, the jumps of time- it just uses the medium so well. Challengers feels like an entirely fresh movie in a genre that is can feel SooOo tired. Last thing I swear! And if you are my only Letterboxd review reader and haven't seen this stop reading now! Because I wanna praise the ending. I expected this to finish on the cold tragedy it's characters are and in the end it lands on their love that is revealed to be the root of the movie. It finishes with all of them loving each other in the way they are capable. And you feel a sense of resolve and satisfaction from all of them that they suffered and won as they deserved. And we have just enough to feel relief from all that tension....but also know they will probably all screw each other over and love each other....over and over again. It's an endless game of tennis and they all found their match. Beautiful beautiful beautiful! Cinema!!!!!! And banger poster. I'm done now!