The Movie Man: ‘Marty Supreme’ Puts Timothée Chalamet in the Spotlight

Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme is a stunning achievement in its depiction of fast-talking table-tennis star Marty Mauser, who will not settle for mediocrity.

This is a rollercoaster of a movie that has our hearts racing more than we’re comfortable with. Such is the life of a hustler: the title character played by Timothée Chalamet, who is a strong contender for Best Actor. Chalamet brings to life a man whose ambition ventures into blasphemous territory (Captain Ahab comes to mind). To be frank, he is a repugnant man fueled by ego, a true libertine who believes principles impair his growth and cannot take accountability for his own actions.

And the praise cannot be limited to Chalamet’s depiction of a man who keeps kicking the can down the road. This is a cast of all-stars and Average Joes alike. Fran Drescher, Abel Ferrara and Gwenyth Paltrow all contribute to this intricate web in the life of Marty. But there are also surprises in the cast, including magician Penn Jillette and Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank (yes, that Kevin O’Leary, who knocks it out of the park).

Like Safdie’s previous movie, Uncut Gems, this is a crime movie and does not spare the audience with its brutal themes. Beyond the nerve-wracking scenes where the title character continues to push his luck, there is an incredible amount of blood and gore. While it remains a stunning achievement, it is not for the faint of heart. I don’t think it will take home Best Picture; but I see Chalamet likely taking home the prize for Best Actor. Even if he goes home empty-handed, Marty Supreme will remain a film that helps define Chalamet’s career.

About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey has a lifelong passion for cinema that goes beyond simply watching films. He is the creator of CityOfCinema.com, a site devoted to movie analysis, and co-hosts the Moviehouse Mystics podcast with Koda Uhl, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.