Marty Supreme

Frank’s Film Review: Marty Supreme
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Every so often, I find myself in the theater watching a movie that reminds me why I love cinema. As someone who craves the rare, electric thrill only the best films deliver, I’m always searching for something that feels bold, immersive, and unforgettable. Marty Supreme is exactly that kind of film — a wild, feverish ride that left me exhilarated, exhausted, and desperate to talk about.

From the very first scene, Josh Safdie — known for his frantic, high-stakes storytelling in Uncut Gems and Good Time — had me hooked. This wasn’t just a film; it was an experience. A neon-soaked plunge into the chaotic world of Marty Mauser, a man whose boundless ambition threatens to consume everything and everyone around him.

While the story is loosely based on table tennis legend Marty Reisman, Marty Supreme is far from a biographical film. Safdie and his co-writer, Ronald Bronstein, take the myth and blow it wide open, crafting a tale that’s as much about the cost of ambition as it is about the man at its center. Timothée Chalamet delivers what I can only describe as a career-defining performance as Marty Mauser. He’s magnetic, monstrous, and impossible to look away from. Marty is the living embodiment of narcissism — every move, every word, every glance calculated for his own gain. He’s a man who believes the world exists solely to orbit his greatness, whether it’s his next hustle, his next victory, or his next moment in the spotlight.

Chalamet leans into Marty’s darkness with fearless intensity, making him both electrifying and infuriating. Watching him is like watching a storm — unpredictable, destructive, and utterly captivating. Marty manipulates, cajoles, and performs for the crowd, but beneath all the bravado is a man utterly alone, consumed by his own myth. To him, relationships are nothing more than transactions. Friends, lovers, even rivals — they’re all just stepping stones on his relentless climb toward fleeting glory.

Amid the chaos, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Kay Stone stood out as a striking counterpoint to Marty’s mania. Paltrow, channeling old Hollywood glamour, delivered a luminous, deeply layered performance. Kay isn’t just a love interest; she’s a woman with her own scars, ambitions, and a quiet strength that makes her impossible to ignore. The chemistry between Paltrow and Chalamet is electric — playful one moment, tense the next, but always crackling with energy. The camera adores her, not just for her beauty but for the vulnerability and defiance that flicker across her face.

The supporting cast added so much depth and texture to Marty’s world. Tyler, the Creator, brought humor and heart as Wally, Marty’s loyal but exasperated friend. Odessa A’zion’s Rachel was sharp and unflinching, a critic of Marty’s self-serving ways, while Kevin O’Leary’s Milton Rockwell provided a cerebral foil to Marty’s impulsive chaos. And the cameos! Abel Ferrara, Fran Drescher, Sandra Bernhard, and Penn Jillette kept the film unpredictable and added to its frenetic energy.

Visually, Marty Supreme is a feast for the senses. Darius Khondji’s cinematography drenched 1950s New York in shadows and neon, capturing the city’s grit and glamour with a dreamlike intensity. The editing was relentless, mirroring Marty’s manic energy, while Daniel Lopatin’s score — punctuated by unexpected ‘80s tracks — kept the tension high and the atmosphere electric.

Marty Supreme is a searing exploration of ambition and its cost. Marty’s selfishness is his weapon and his curse, propelling him to greatness while isolating him from everyone who might have cared. Safdie and Bronstein don’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, they leave us with a portrait of a man who burns bright, crashes hard, and forces us to question whether the price of his ambition was ever worth it.

This is a film that demands to be seen on the big screen. It’s loud, vivid, and unforgettable — a cinematic rollercoaster that left me breathless. With powerhouse performances, stunning visuals, and unrelenting energy, Marty Supreme is sure to dominate awards season. If you’re looking to make this holiday one to remember, grab your friends or family and experience it together.

Frank Gaimari is an author and film reviewer in Seattle. He lives with his husband and their two golden retrievers. You can learn more about his work at http://www.FrankGaimari.com.