Described by some as this generation’s Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet has taken Hollywood by storm. Acting alongside other young stars, such as Zendaya and Florence Pugh, Chalamet has starred in a variety of films. His most recent being “Marty Supreme,” an A24 sports dramedy loosely based on the life of professional table tennis player Marty Reisman.
The star studded cast also includes Gwyneth Paltrow, known for her role as Pepper Potts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; Fran Drescher, who’s praised for her role as Fran Fine in 90’s sitcom “The Nanny”; Odessa A’Zion, whose most recent role is Tallulah in “I Love LA”; and Tyler the Creator, most known for his Grammy winning albums, but launched his acting career in the 2010s via appearances in shows, one being “The Mindy Project.”
These actors each attended the New York City premiere on Dec. 16, among many other familiar faces, one being mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. While the movie is being released in theaters on Dec. 25, there have been various advance screenings throughout December, the most notable being 70MM premieres in New York City and LA on Dec. 18.
While unable to snag tickets to any of the 70MM showings (nope, not bitter about it at all), Forest Hills High School senior Olivia Brown and I made our way to the regular 4:15 p.m. advance showing. We entered relatively blind, fueled only by the desire to see Odessa A’ Zion on the big screen (and hopefully her popping into the theater).
The film hits the ground running, shortly after we learn that Marty works at his uncle’s shoe store, he and one of his love interests, Rachel, played by A’Zion, embark on a brief escapade. This love interest also happens to be married to a jerk, because why wouldn’t she be.
This movie starts as one would expect a Sports drama would; the lead works a job he finds miserable, but has great aspirations to be a renowned athlete. It quickly takes a turn when he aims a gun at one of the workers and demands the $700 that his uncle promised him so that he can fly to a ping pong (table tennis??) tournament in London.
Marty is a talented player, there’s no denying it. However, he is also an arrogant show-off whose comments are littered with witty one-liners like “Are you asking me if Tokyo is in Japan?” and “ I give him meaning! All you do is give him money.”
His nemesis is deaf Japanese player Koto Endo, who beats Marty at the major tournament in London. Marty flies off the handle, flinging things around the room and asserting that Endo cheated. Humiliated, he returns home to live with his manipulative mother, who he had previously been avoiding. Soon after his return he is ambushed by his uncle & a police officer and given an ultimatum, return to the store or be arrested for armed robbery. Marty bolts via fire escape and we embark on a police chase through the streets of New York City. Along the way, Marty & the audience learn that Rachel is 8 months pregnant (couldn’t tell you when the time jump happened, but it did), and is certain that the baby is Marty’s, while Marty is certain that it isn’t.
This review may read as messy and confusing, well, that’s exactly what the movie was. The events that I’ve described take place in the first 45 minutes. The movie later introduces Marty and his partner in crime Wally, played by Tyler the Creator, scamming players out of their money; Marty attacking Rachel’s husband after she shows up with a black eye (spoiler alert! It was makeup); an affair with Kay Stone, retired actress (who is married to pen mogul Milton Rockwell) played by Gwenyth Paltrow; a mad, and eventually violent hunt for a rich guy’s dog; and Marty’s mission to win against Koto Endo. Somewhere in the midst of Marty and Wally accidentally setting a gas station on fire and losing the rich guy’s dog, Olivia turned to me and murmured “I’m so confused as to what the actual plot is.” That feeling did not change. This movie is marketed as a Sports Drama, and yet, there didn’t feel as if there was much sports involved. As Seth Meyer stated during his interview with Odessa A’Zion “It’s very white knuckle for a movie.. They lead you to believe it’s about ping pong!” Quite frankly, table tennis felt like a subplot. This movie felt as if it was a combination of subplots thrown together for shock factor. It’s not that I didn’t understand the movie, it’s that I don’t understand why it was done the way it was.
However, this movie has potential to do a sweep of awards in 2026. With 3 Golden Globe nominations, 8 Critics Choice Award nominations, and dozens of statewide Critics nominations from across the nation. Many of these nominations are for Timothée, and Odessa’s, acting chops. Timmothée especially is receiving praise, some stating that this is his best performance. Rolling Stone goes as far as arguing that this movie showcases Chalamet’s potential for being ‘one of the greats.’ Chalamet himself stated on The Tonight Show “This is the one, man. Marty Supreme is the one.” It’s undeniable that he and Odessa (and the other actors in this film) are phenomenal. But is this the movie that solidifies their greatness? I’d argue not. I personally find his passionate performance in Little Women or his desperation and melancholy in Beautiful Boy, much more compelling. His performance is passionate in Marty Supreme. However, there are so many intricate, and often violent, plotlines that it’s hard to focus on the quality of acting in the film.
Overall, I would give the movie a 6/10. As stated previously, it does offer witty writing and entertaining performances from talented actors. However, the oversaturation of violence, and lack of focus and development of a singular plot can drown these moments out.
On a side note- remember earlier when I mentioned Odessa popping into the theater? Well, she didn’t. But Timothée Chalamet did. You may be thinking- “Wow you got to see Timothée Chalamet in person?” Nope! He went to the showing right after ours, about 45 minutes after we left the theater. In fact, we were just a few blocks away from the theater at that time. Yep, I’m definitely not bitter. After all, I got a ping pong ball out of it.
“Marty Supreme” is out Christmas Day, with advance screenings at select locations. Do you think this film solidifies Chalamet’s legacy in Hollywood? Is this one of Safdie’s best works? Check it out for yourself!
