King Kong of ping-pong

Marty Supreme is a smash hit and worthy of its Oscar nominations

- ■ TATAT BUNNAG

When Hollywood turns to biographical films or fictional dramas about criminals or con artists, it is rarely because these people are admirable or because filmmakers want audiences to imitate them. Rather, it is because such lives often contain something fascinating and captivating — qualities that make for compelling storytelling.

Directed by Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme is by far one of the strongest contenders for the Oscars this year.

The film stars Timothée Chalamet as an expert ping-pong player who also happens to be a highly skilled hustler, actor, liar and, in many ways, a deeply unpleasant person. He is a young man with a dream that no one around him respects, yet he is willing to go to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

The way this film is presented — particularly its intense, relentless pace — makes Marty Supreme easy to compare to another A24 production, Uncut Gems starring Adam Sandler (2019). Both films feature extremely fast-moving narratives filled with moments that are embarrassing, cringeworthy and occasionally very funny.

Each movie places its characters in situations where they are pushed to do questionable or outright terrible things in pursuit of some dream, object, or opportunity. The characters in both films are also masters of persuasion. Sometimes they are literally selling things; other times they are selling an idea, a chance, or simply a lie.

Within minutes of the film's opening, we are introduced to Marty Mauser (Chalamet). He immediately begins talking about his abilities — how talented he is, how he will become the greatest in the world, and how nothing will stand in his way. The film wastes no time establishing just how obsessed he is with the idea of his own greatness.