By Reshelle Bihasa, Staff Writer 

“Marty Supreme” follows an aspiring table tennis athlete named Marty Mauser portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, following his ambitious goal to compete in the World Table Tennis Championship in Tokyo, Japan during the 1950s. 

Loosely based on the American table tennis champion and hustler Marty Reisman, Marty’s drive for greatness to be the best consumes him so much that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get there as he hustles, scams and manipulates his way through the fast-paced world of New York City’s Lower East Side. 

“Marty Supreme” has already shattered the record for A24’s highest grossing film in its opening weekend.  Directed by Josh Safdie, the film has earned a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and has received multiple awards and nominations with Chalamet being considered a top choice for upcoming Oscar nominations for his role. This movie features a strong supporting cast including Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’zion, as well as several film debuts from Kevin O’Leary from “Shark Tank” and Tyler Okonma famously known as Tyler, the Creator.

This film is a whirlwind of emotions that constantly keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Going into the theater, all I knew was that it followed a table tennis player’s journey and nothing more. I was unexpectedly surprised by the film’s fast-paced energy, layered with adrenaline and multiple subplots unfolding one after another. Just when you expect the film to slow down, this two-and-a-half-hour movie keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end. 

Combined with the perfect amount of dark comedy and intensity, this movie almost makes the viewers want to root for Marty’s character despite his selfish and egotistical personality. The cinematography does not disappoint either, especially during the intense table tennis scenes with close-ups shots of the action. 

“Marty Supreme” emphasizes several key themes, including how relentless ambition and hustle culture can go too far to the point of using others for one’s personal benefit. While Marty is seen as self-obsessed and arrogant, the film also portrays his character development and shows how he has changed by the end of the movie. 

One fun fact about this movie is that Chalamet continuously trained in table tennis on and off to prepare for the movie since 2018. He also wore real prescription glasses while wearing contact lenses to show his character authentically giving off the appearance of glasses. Additionally, the Japanese table tennis champion Koto Endo is played by real-life professional athlete Koto Kawaguchi, which is a casting choice that brings an added level of authenticity and credibility to the film’s competitive scenes.

One of the best aspects of the film was the selection of 1980s music juxtaposed with the 1950s setting. At the end, the song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears plays, capturing the feeling of endless possibility, a perfect end to the story. Another honorable mention is the song “Forever Young” by Alphaville in the opening sequence. 

Overall, Marty Supreme is unlike most traditional sports movies, as it distinguishes itself through Marty’s sharp banter and a fast-paced, layered narrative that keeps viewers fully engaged.