The Safdie Brothers love dreamers. Sure, their particular type of dreamers are also con-men, liars, and schemers…but ultimately “Heaven Knows What,” “Good Time,” and “Uncut Gems” all revolve around people who dream of a bigger and better life for themselves. But it’s the paths they take and their entitled ownership of that dream that ultimately derails them in various, and incredibly anxiety-causing, ways. Even after splitting up to direct their own films, the duo is still detailing the anxiogenic stories of dreamers, with Benny Safdie making “The Smashing Machine” and Josh Safdie making “Marty Supreme.” The latter is a triumphant achievement in cinema, cementing Josh Safdie’s place as a thrilling (if uneasy) storyteller with a compelling vision that delivers an amazing movie.
New York City, 1952. Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) is working in his uncle’s shoe store while continuing an affair with his married childhood friend, Rachel (Odessa A’zion). But that’s just his daily hustle as he will soon ship out for the table tennis British Open in England and compete against the best players in the world. While there, he enjoys a fling with dimmed Hollywood starlet Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is married to pen magnate millionaire Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary). The British Open doesn’t exactly go as planned and soon follows a bunch of unexpected moments in Marty’s life as he continues striving to be the best ping pong player in the world.
Loosely based on the life and autobiography of real-world table tennis pro Marty Reisman, “Marty Supreme” is a wild ride of intersecting dreams and nightmares constantly colliding against each other. Safdie, who co-wrote the script with Ronald Bronstein, has created an impressive film full of all these shifting stories and characters all serving (and abused by) Marty’s ego; his constant attempt to stay one step ahead of his various lies and hustles often being undone by some new scheme or poor decision. And yet, with all his bullshit and manipulative ways, the audience is kind of rooting for Marty. Maybe that’s the inherent charm and sensitivity of Chalamet. Or maybe it’s because he’s actually good at his dream, table tennis, and it’s a fine dream to have (if a bit absurd for the time and place)—put it in contrast with Howard in “Uncut Gems” who has no real skill set, is undone by his own addictive demons, and just drags everyone else down with him. Or maybe it’s because it’s also a sports underdog story that audiences will find themselves hoping it works out for Marty (in some parts—other times he’s just an asshole and a schmuck). For whatever reason, while it is as full of distressing moments where things fall apart, it doesn’t feel as bleak as Josh Safdie’s previous three movies. Add on an ending that some (not me) interpret as hopeful, and it’s almost a crowd pleaser!
But make no mistake – this is still a film in Safdie’s America. Which means it’s still full of horrible people acting terribly, along with the innocent fools that get caught up among them. And that propulsive tale is realized beautifully on screen thanks to the fantastic cinematography of DP Darius Khondji (who has had a helluva year in 2025 with this, “Eddington,” and “Mickey 17”) and the whipcrack editing of Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein. The movie looks like a lived in 1952, full of sweat and nervous filth in a way that isn’t exaggerated or stagey but instead helps ground the rapid proceedings in a tactile world. But that time setting is given more power thanks to an anachronistic soundtrack of ‘80s New Wave and a techno/synth score by Daniel Lopatin (a.k.a. Oneohtrix Point Never). It shouldn’t work and should be one stylistic flair too many, but instead it creates a weird tapestry in which Marty’s isn’t just a tale of the ‘50s but instead ranges to the ‘80s and today. With the music and camerawork, “Marty Supreme” creates a throughline from our hustling past to our chaotic present; it’s one that stretches from meager beginnings into an unknown future that arrives on the back of lies and cons.
“Marty Supreme” is one of the best depictions of the American Dream, in all its gilded highs and grotesque lows. Even more than Josh Safdie’s previous film—which was largely about gambling, “Marty Supreme” perfectly replicates that rush of a winning streak and the despair of being way in the hole. Marty is too stupid, or arrogant, or entitled, or devout to his dream to let anything dissuade him. And there’s something beautiful in that. But there’s also something truly ugly about the destruction he leaves in his wake because of that devotion to a dream. “Marty Supreme” is a beautiful film full of ugly moments of humanity that will lead viewers on an emotional ride while constantly delivering great impactful scenes.
4.5 / 5 Stars
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Odessa A’zion, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler Okonma, Kevin O’Leary, Abel Ferrara, Fran Drescher
Directed by: Josh Safdie
