One of the most consistent trends in the sports movie genre is the training arc. Watching someone duke it out a billion times before finally hitting their target is an automatically rousing experience, which makes the best sports movies so inspirational to watch. Montages of games are another consistent trend that defines the sports genre, as they create emotional buildup.
Almost all the sports movies that defined the genre feature elaborate training arcs and match montages, often set to the most epic music. The Karate Kid is a 1980s movie associated with one song because of the unforgettable “You’re The Best” tournament montage that gets viewers amped up for the final fight of the competition and Daniel LaRusso’s iconic kick.
It almost feels incomplete if a sports movie doesn’t focus on the challenges of becoming the best on the field while playing up the dramatic tension to get viewers excited. However, Marty Supreme does away with this tradition without losing sight of what makes a good sports movie compelling. It still inspires and motivates, but from a very different angle.
Marty Supreme Is More Of A Dramedy Than A Traditional Sports Movie
Many true story sports movies change what happened, but Marty Supreme ensures you know it is largely a fictionalization of the life of Marty Reisman, who inspired the titular Marty Mauser in the movie. The movie specifically focuses on Marty Mauser’s struggles to participate in the Table Tennis World Championship after he faces a humiliating defeat in the British Open.
Instead of showing how he became the self-proclaimed best ping-pong player in the United States, the movie accepts this as fact. It instead follows the comedic and chaotic journey of him trying to procure a large sum of money. He needs it to pay off a fine and book a flight to Tokyo, where the World Championship will be played.
Marty Supreme isn’t devoid of table tennis action, obviously, but it’s structured like a thrilling comedy of errors. It almost keeps you guessing about the ending, even if you’re expecting to watch him win the Championship. What makes it engaging as a sports movie is the protagonist’s confidence, which gets you rooting for him, even if you find him abrasive.
Marty Supreme Is Structured Like A Table Tennis Match
The comedy of errors structure of Marty Supreme‘s screenplay makes you feel like you’re watching a ping-pong game. Marty faces or creates a problem, and instead of getting resolved when he seemingly handles it, the problem returns unexpectedly with even more threat. The similarity to serving the ball only to get nearly blindsided by a fantastic return is praiseworthy.
Timothée Chalamet’s performance in Marty Supreme sells you on this structure because he seamlessly transitions from cocky to desperate at a moment’s notice. The story’s relentless pacing frames him like a table tennis player rapidly rallying against fate, the most formidable opponent. Josh Safdie’s anxiety-inducing direction amplifies this effect, filling viewers with the familiar dread of failure associated with sports.
Marty Supreme Still Has The Familiar Sports Movie Themes
Some of the best overlooked sports movies in the genre’s history focus on events that occur off the pitch, from politics to interpersonal drama. But they all explore the winning mindset which separates a successful sportsperson from the rest. Marty Supreme does the same by portraying how far Marty Mauser is willing to go to compete at the World Championship.
His arrogance is typical of any larger-than-life sportsperson, but the movie comes with its share of reality checks. Despite the shifted focus, Marty’s arc allows the film to explore the same themes of grit and luck that are found in the best sports movies. The confusing mix of emotions he evokes perfectly captures the contradictory nature of sports.
Chalamet’s Stardom Adds Context To Marty’s Arc in The Movie
Timothée Chalamet is a movie star in every sense of the word. Marty Supreme‘s box office is among the top 10 in A24’s history as a studio, and given that the film’s marketing was mostly about the actor, it proves the strength of his appeal to moviegoers. It also makes Marty appealing, as his cockiness feels earned coming from Chalamet.
Chalamet’s dedication to his craft is reflected in Marty’s determination to prove he can avenge his British Open defeat. Marty considers ping-pong his higher calling, saying he has a purpose, and using this as an excuse to be condescending. That’s the kind of controversial attitude you’d expect from a successful athlete. Chalamet makes it easier to root for Marty.
Table Tennis Matches Bookend The Story
Even though the traditional training arc is missing, one of the key points depicts Marty hustling ping-pong players. This scene, halfway through the movie, is designed to keep viewers aware of Marty’s personal goal, even if most of us may be rooting for him to just make it out of the mess with his life and liberty.
Moreover, just like any memorable sports movie, the movie is bookended by table tennis matches that showcase Marty’s skills. Marty Supreme‘s ending is the most traditional aspect of the movie, but the buildup is so turbulent and emotionally taxing that the stakes are elevated in the minds of viewers, who will watch with anticipation, despite logically knowing how it ends.
