Directed by: Josh Safdie
Written by: Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein
Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Koto Kawaguchi, Kevin O’Leary, Tyler Okonma, Fran Drescher, and Penn Jillette
Runtime: 150 minutes
‘Marty Supreme’: Chalamet could win the Best Actor Oscar, and he wouldn’t need any topspin to do it
If you didn’t know anything about director Josh Safdie’s new film other than it stars Timothee Chalamet, ping pong would probably be the furthest thought from your mind.
This was my experience as I walked into the movie theatre, when a colleague told me, 10 minutes before the film began, that “Marty Supreme” is a ping pong movie. Well, if Timothee is about to star in a sports movie, ping pong makes more sense than, say, powerlifting.
Although do not underestimate Mr. Chalamet…even with powerlifting. The man spent five years preparing to play Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” (2024), and, as a long-time Dylan fan, his remarkable portrayal should have won him the 2025 Best Actor Oscar.
(Thank you, 2025 SAG Awards for recognizing Chalamet’s work with the 2025 SAG Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.)
Well, Timothee worked with a ping pong coach for six years in preparation for “Marty Supreme”, and by golly, his work certainly shows on the big screen. He demonstrates the type of masterclass effort that can draw the Academy’s attention.
Safdie’s film is a sweeping, wild affair that carries a similar hectic pace as the Safdie Brothers’ “Uncut Gems” (2019) but travels into threatening criminal elements reminiscent of Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” (1990). The movie is about Marty Mauser’s winding, unexpected path towards a hopeful shot at facing ping pong legend Koto Endo (Koto Kawaguchi) in Tokyo.
Marty’s a broke early 20-something without connections, a family war chest, and good standing to simply hop on a plane and fly to Japan.
Can he raise the money? Even if he finds his way to Tokyo, can he even enter the tournament?
Marty Reisman is a real-life ping pong player from the era, but this film – written by Safdie and Ronald Bronstein – is a fictionalized story.
No matter who Marty was in real life, Chalamet plays him as a fast-talking hustler who is single-mindedly focused on pursuing greatness, and his chosen sport will get him there if he can garner some help.
“It’s only a matter of time before I’m staring at you from the cover of a Wheaties box,” Marty says.
To say he’s singular-focused is an understatement as he tries to hustle some bucks with his friend Wally (Tyler Okonma), return a lost dog for a payday, and beg for a sponsorship from a pen mogul, Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary from “Shark Tank” fame, who is flat-out terrific in his first big-screen role).
Although Marty’s not exactly focused on ping pong titles every waking second, as he has eyes for Rockwell’s wife, actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow). His confidence, assertiveness, quick wit, and top-notch street smarts may just win her over.
Speaking of confidence, Josh Safdie is unafraid to take chances throughout this rumbling story of ambition. In addition to O’Leary, Safdie cast magician Penn Jillette (who is unrecognizable) and NBA Hall of Fame legend George Gervin.
The film also introduces a few unknown septuagenarian or octogenarian men, who are utterly believable in key roles. These gentlemen could have been locals off the street, long-time character actors, or Safdie’s grandfathers’ best friends or neighbors in a similar fashion as some personalities in “Uncut Gems”. Remember the ultra-tan gentleman in the third act? These actors seem to have real-life streetwise credentials. Odessa A’zion nicely plays Marty’s wobbly co-pilot, and 80s and 90s comedienne legends Sandra Bernhard and Fran Drescher also have supporting roles.
While we’re at it, some classic 80s musical influences make appearances, 30 years after the film takes place, that make welcome additions to the free-spirited vibes.
“Marty Supreme” is a tale of trying to reach your goals by any means necessary, and these ideas lean into some big-time cinematic surprises. They say you must break a few eggs while making an omelet, and Chalamet cooks up a dandy of a turbulent performance in an equally tumultuous journey….and you’ll swear that Chalamet has already won a couple of world ping pong titles in his personal life after watching this film.
Well, the last time that ping pong has taken this bright a spotlight in the movies was 1994’s “Forrest Gump”, and Tom Hanks won 1995’s Best Actor Oscar. Chalamet could too, and he wouldn’t need any topspin to do it.
Jeff’s ranking
3.5 / 4 stars
