Marty Supreme

[TheLOUDNESS]

Truthfully - I was disappointed. Not sure what I was expecting; maybe more of the striving and skill and craft directly related to becoming a great table tennis player - like The Queen’s Gambit. But there was nothing of that. Nothing to suggest the roots of his talent or how he had honed it.

It’s not always a fault if a film is episodic, but this just seemed cobbled together, killing time until the climactic battle.

I would have put ‘No spoilers’ in the thread title - but really there was nothing to spoil. It wasn’t terrible; production, cast, acting, costume were all fine, but there was no story at all.

I will be very annoyed indeed if this wins any prizes that ought to go to ‘Sinners’ or ‘One Battle After Another’. But maybe I just didn’t get it.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/01/marty-supreme-review-timothee-chalamet-ping-pong-table-tennis

I didn’t enjoy it, I just found it, I dunno, I guess a bit bland, the characters felt quite two dimensional, maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to see it, maybe it wasn’t really what I was expecting, but I just felt disappointed that I spent money and gave up my time to watch it. I did like the music score. and as I’ve got older I’m much more critical, as I didn’t enjoy Choral either. I enjoyed The Roses, and ‘freakier Friday’ so maybe i’m more a ‘light hearted’ film goer!

I think the films that you enjoyed were more honest in their intentions. MS masquerades as a heavyweight Oscar contender when it is really a lighthearted comic caper, which is fine.

Saw it yesterday and really enjoyed it. I'd seen online reviews for it, but hadn't seen any promotional stuff or even the trailer beforehand, so didn't walk in expecting an uplifting underdog story about table tennis which seems to be what some people on this thread were expecting.

Good performances all around, can't agree with the PPs who thought TC was poor in it.

Not sure how you would describe it overall, tbh. It's not exactly a character study (I don't think you end the film understanding Marty anymore than you do a few minutes into it) but it's a very entertaining, well made snapshot of a relentless, highly driven sociopath (who happens to play table tennis).

Saw it tonight and didn't love it, it was sold as a dark comedy but there really wasn't much funny about it. I couldn't root for such an obnoxious character and was a bit disappointed at Rachel's character development too, also found the relationship with Kay really far-fetched. I did like the cinematography and soundtrack, but it was too long and the dog plotline I could have done without although the bath tub scene that started it was a bit of a jawdropper.

Chalamet won best actor at Golden Globes. I hope this isn’t an indication of what will happen at the Oscars. It is almost as though everyone thinks he deserves it just because he says he does and has such a high profile promotional campaign. I haven’t seen any promotion by the other nominated actors.

I really liked it but wouldn’t watch again in a hurry. Just too intense (altho that seems a Safdie trademark).

Of course, I left wondering where Marty’s dad was, and who he was, and what that yawning gap meant for the final scene.

Very good point. I didn’t think about that. It would have given the film added depth.

Lots of competence shown in this film in lots of areas but too long and story lacking/disjointed. I didn’t enjoy it at all.

Well yes, I would have liked a little more of his backstory, they could have managed that without it drifting into the more conventional hardship to superstardom type scenario.

Weirdly, from that respect it reminded me of Better Man (which I loved) - showing that (quite male?) obsession with being recognised as worthy/the best, surrounded by people but only ever focused inward. But Better Man chose to show the father, which makes the character motivation much clearer.

Loved it! Best film I've seen for ages. Don't normally like long films but it didn't flag once. It was so audacious, you never knew what would happen next and it kept my attention. I was impressed at being made to care about such an awful anti hero, that's clever! Lots of laugh out loud moments, and times I had to look away when the action got intense - lots of close ups, great cinematography. Great soundtrack - a film set in the 50s with music from the 80s was typical of how fresh and unusual this film is. It made most other films I've enjoyed recently seem formulaic and a bit boring by comparison. Loved TC's performance, haven't seen much of his other stuff so will look out for more. Also unfamiliar with the Director, so a good discovery. Even GC was good in it

Contemporary how? It was an 80s soundtrack on an early 50s set film

I loved it- the energy, the chaos, the fact that almost none of the characters were very likeable and most were positively sociopathic, the way the resolution of the table tennis plot was so uncomfortable and incomplete (a worse film would have had him winning the championship in Japan), the whole look of the film, the camerawork. Just a very enjoyable and energising way to spend two and a half hours.

I think I liked it because there was no backstory. It seemed to start during the story which added to the chaos.

I also enjoyed the anachronistic music choices. Very fresh.

I am not sure I enjoyed it that much. Funnily, I found the bath tub and the dog bits the best part. Shocking but could connect to it. I’d give the film 3.5/5. Agree with most other critique on this thread. Chaotic, disjointed, stressful, a bit too long in length.

I am not sure if Chalamet truthfully captured the cheek, smarts and brio of a young person who comes from a background like that. He actually seemed “soft” and middle class. well, he seemed Chalamesque, which is probably why people rooted for a a character who did awful things. They were really rooting for Timmy Tee. This is the pitfall of great fame. Great actors cultivate a degree of mystique and anonymity.

Sorry, but that’s bollocks, @MamsKnit. I am no “Timmy Tee” fan but still found the portrayal interesting and thought the actor had contributed a lot to making an antihero watchable. Perhaps it’s more that you disliked the film because you dislike the actor?

The other Safdie thing seems to be extreme closeups - which made me really appreciate the artistry of the make up on TC. The acne scars were completely believable, incredible work.

calm down dear. It’s just an idea. Timmy himself has attempted to blur the lines between character and reality with his publicity campaign. So bollocks to you too.

Lol, always fun to run into an anti who cares more than even actual fans do! Makes neutrals feel even smugger.

What is wrong with you? We’re just throwing ideas and opinions around. Why do you have to make it all so personal and aggressive?

I used to be a Chalamet fan but I think he is in danger of diluting his talent. I am allowed an opinion.

I’m a neutral and am quite perplexed by the turn this thread has taken.

Took DH to see it tonight. I’m never sure about seeing films twice in quick succession but I loved it just as much second time round.

Agree @GingerBeveragethe make up work was brilliant. Those tiny scars and pock marks added to Marty’s character, along with the rough nails. I paid more attention second time round.

The scenes with everyone shouting at each other made me think of the early episodes of season of The Bear.

Your opinion insulted anyone who enjoyed the film or thought Chalament’s performance was good by directly accusing them of being besotted fans. There was no need for you to go there, you were perfectly entitled to just not like this film or the acting for whatever reasons just like half the people on this thread already had.