Marty Supreme Movie Review (2025)
A stylistic film about a feisty young man looking to fulfill his dream of being the top table tennis player on the circuit, Marty Supreme is the carnival ride that never stops.
I have mentioned before that Timothée Chalamet is not my favorite actor. There is something about his performances that I don’t connect with on screen, and, although I have seen many of his films, they just rarely do it for me. That said, I was a fan of his work in The King and he was cute in Wonka, so there you go. Luckily, though, I can now add this film to my small list.
Marty Supreme is about Marty Mauser, a twenty-something shoe salesman who lives with his mother in a Lower East Side apartment and competes in the table tennis circuit. It is 1952, he has very little money, and when his uncle refuses to pay him the $700 he’s earned for his trip, he robs the business, leaving his family and married friend, Rachel, who he is having an affair with. While overseas, he seduces older actress Kay Stone, entices her rich husband into a business deal, and does what he has to to live large and live in the moment to ultimately fulfill his dream of becoming the biggest name in table tennis.
This comedy thriller reminded me of Uncut Gems in structure, with many independent events occurring without a throughline of most of them directly affecting the next. There is a solid story that remains interesting and consistent as well as a few callbacks to events that happened earlier, but this newer method of storytelling is definitely intriguing in that most movie watchers are used to a more methodical composition.
Marty is a fast-talking, ostentatious, and sometimes inappropriate guy who is always putting on a show. Whether he is flexing on the table tennis court or showing off for a woman, he has only one goal – to be the best. He sees table tennis as his mission on earth, and he’s willing to sacrifice everything and everyone to get there. Chalamet inhabits Marty beautifully, understanding that this man isn’t trying to be mean, he just has to live his purpose, even if it is to the detriment of those around him.
In addition to Chalamet, the casting of Marty Supreme is one of my favorite things about the film. A diverse scattering of starring actors, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful), Tyler Okonma (aka Tyler, the Creator), Abel Ferrara, and Fran Drescher, with bit parts played by David Mamet, Sandra Bernhard, Levon Hawke, Penn Jillette, and Isaac Mizrahi among others. Also, Koto Kawaguchi, a real deaf Japanese table tennis player, stars as Marty’s main opponent in a role that is loosely based on him. The collection of actors here is beyond fascinating, and kudos to the team that put them together (even if O’Leary is not a great actor, but whatever).
Visually, Marty Supreme also stands out, with excellent camerawork and cinematography along with period costumes and drab 1950s surroundings. This film is an enjoyable time, and although a little long, the pacing makes the time pass quickly. Check it out.
Runtime: 149 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: Currently in theaters
