Marty Supreme, Explained: Why A Movie About Ping Pong Became An Oscar Frontrunner

Marty Supreme has already raced its way into pretty much every best movie of the year list and seems like it might be the career-defining performance that nabs Timothy Shalomé his first Oscar. But why

are people so into this film? And does

it really live up to the hype? Let's dig

into how this film about a pingpong champion manages to take us on a wild ride while also uncovering truths about the American dream and the quest to fulfill one's destiny at any cost. Ready

Supreme is the first outing for Josh Safy Sands his brother Benny. The pair

have previously made a number of films together, most notably Uncut Gems. Though he did retain his longtime co-c collaborator Ronald Bronstein as co-writer and editor. This globe

crossing table tennis odyssey follows the titular Marty based on real life tennis table champion Marty Ryman as he seeks to climb to the very top of the rankings and prove that he is the best

in the world. The film has a similar chaotic energy and pacing to Uncut Gems, but it certainly doesn't feel like a retread. The chaotic filmmaking aligns

retread. The chaotic filmmaking aligns with the precarious lives Marty and his companions are leading, where they're constantly burdened with the feeling that one wrong choice could be the difference between making their dreams

come true or ruining their lives. This

is especially true for Marty, who is immensely ambitious and self assured.

And what do you plan to do if this whole dream of yours doesn't work out?

>> That doesn't even enter my consciousness.

>> He might be an underdog, but he doesn't retain many of the qualities we see in many classic outsider protagonists. Far

from imposttor syndrome, Marty's problem is that he knows he's the best and he just can't get everyone else to jump on board. He's a hustler at heart, always

board. He's a hustler at heart, always able to figure out a scheme to make a quick buck when he needs to, and he very often does. Hardy is in many ways a

often does. Hardy is in many ways a pretty unlikable main character, but the film keeps him just rooted to his humanity enough that we can continue to root for him even when we're cringing at

or stressed out by his choices. In his

quest for glory, he leaves a path of destruction in his wake as he uses and pushes away everyone in his life who cares for him. When his longtime friend Rachel, who is married but has been having an affair with Marty, tells him

that she's pregnant with his child, he rudely tells her that he's definitely not taking himself off his track towards his dreams to settle down. In this

exchange, we also see how Marty can project his own issues and failings onto others. In the same way a hustler might

others. In the same way a hustler might convince themselves that it's actually their mark's fault for being too gullible, Marty lashes out at others in his life who are having to deal with the consequences of choices that are just as

much his as theirs. Rachel connects

Marty to the world he comes from and to many of the facets of his reality that he'd like to ignore. On the other end of the spectrum is Kay, the once famous actress that he meets and begins an

affair with. They share another set of

affair with. They share another set of similarities. They're both a bit selfish

similarities. They're both a bit selfish and see a glimmer of what they want to be in the other. Marty, rich, Kay, young, and vibrant. Cotto Indo, the Japanese tennis table champion that

Marty loses to in London, which sets him off on a quest for a rematch in Japan that sets the course for the end of the film, exists on the opposite end of the spectrum for Marty in a number of ways.

He's calm and respectful and focused in a way that doesn't seem destructive to himself or others. But Marty and Cotto also share an important factor that drives them. They feel like they're not

drives them. They feel like they're not only representing themselves, but their larger identities and people as a whole.

Before we dig into that ending and some of the problems with the film, let's take a closer look at some of the film's key symbolism. From the American dream

key symbolism. From the American dream to the spanking to get a deeper understanding of what it's really trying to say. Ping pong is not necessarily the

to say. Ping pong is not necessarily the sport you'd expect for a highintensity sports movie, but that's actually what makes it the perfect metaphor for Marty himself. As the story plays out, we see

himself. As the story plays out, we see that both the game and Marty are more than meets the eye. Marty's desire to create the orange balls also serves as an externalization of this, of his

belief that he's different and his desire to stand out. The idea of the American dream was beginning to take hold in a new way in the post-war period in which the film is set. And Marty

represents the highs and lows of the reality of chasing that dream for many people. The idea that you can be

people. The idea that you can be anything you set your mind to often doesn't take into account how difficult it can be to overcome the circumstances you're born into or the toll that

attempting to do so might take on not only you but those around you as well.

Relatedly is the idea of how lonely it can be on your way to the top or on the way back down. Hardy isn't actually alone. No matter how unkindly he

alone. No matter how unkindly he behaves, he always has people in his life he can turn to. But in his single-minded quest, he sees himself as alone and separate from all others,

which helps him justify his behavior, but also does lead to him feeling more and more unmed. In the end, he does open himself up to connection, which we'll discuss in a second. We all want our

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thetake 555. The sound design and music choices have caught the interest of many viewers. The layered chaotic soundsscape

viewers. The layered chaotic soundsscape helps add to the feeling of chaos and build the tension in key moments. And

thankfully, the mixing is done well so that even during these moments, we can actually hear the important bits of dialogue we need to. and the

inacronistic music aids in highlighting the way that Marty's core battle, that desire for glory and to prove that you're as capable as you know you are deep down are relatable to people of any

era. Daniel Lupitin, who did the score

era. Daniel Lupitin, who did the score for the film, told the Los Angeles Times, "I think that's what makes it so fun because we're really open to this idea of time being a little bit malleable, a little bit gelatinous." The

spanking scene, in which K's husband Milton tells Marty he'll only pay his way to the Japan tournament if he agrees to be spanked, was one that made headlines as the film began its festival

run. Though, it's not actually intended

run. Though, it's not actually intended to be titillating or salacious, as one might imagine. Instead, it's a very

might imagine. Instead, it's a very overt window into how degrading it can be to try to work your way up the ladder into the elite world, and how much joy those elites take in denigrating any

stvers who might dare to try to enter their world. Milton, played by real

their world. Milton, played by real world rich guy Kevin Olri of Shark Tank fame, even tells Marty when asked how he can be sure that Milton won't just go back on his word. You don't because you

have no power here. Instead of being the end of the humiliation ritual, however, it turns out to be only the beginning.

Hardy's soul drive for the entire film is to become a champion and prove he's the best table tennis player in the world. So when he finally makes it to

world. So when he finally makes it to Japan for his rematch with Cotto, he's distraught to find that he won't be allowed to enter the world championship no matter what. On top of that, he's

made to throw an exhibition match against Cotto. When yet another level of

against Cotto. When yet another level of humiliation is about to be brought down on him, forcing him to kiss a pig in front of the entire audience, Marty cracks and tells everyone that the game

was rigged and asks to play a real game against Cotto. After a tense battle

against Cotto. After a tense battle between the two great players, Marty just ees out a win. He's overcome with a sense of fulfillment, not only proving that he can beat Cotto specifically, but

also that he's a great player overall.

But the other realities of his situation are still present. Cotto is still the one that's going to the championship, and Marty has to contend with all of the chaos he left in his wake just to get to

this moment. He returns home to find

this moment. He returns home to find that Rachel has delivered their child.

And the film ends by leaning into the old selfish person fixed by seeing their newborn baby trope. Having kids

absolutely can change your outlook on life and the way you behave. And plenty

of parents have spoken about how they did feel a major shift in themselves once they finally got to meet their kid.

But the way this often plays out on screen can feel underbaked. Like it's

just an easy way to signify growth without actually having to show the character growing as a person. It does

feel like kind of a quick turn of character in Marty's case, but it's also come after he's gone through a number of life-changing experiences in quick succession, like realizing he's going to be blocked from the thing he worked so

hard for, but then also getting the opportunity to live out his dream in a way. All of these trials and

way. All of these trials and tribulations we've seen Marty go through are what bring him to that point of his wall finally breaking down upon seeing his child. He's been working so hard on

his child. He's been working so hard on building this one specific idea of himself and his legacy. And now he's being confronted with a new legacy that

reframes his entire self-conception.

Marty Supreme isn't a perfect movie. At

times it drifts far away from its central plot for moments that don't always feel fully fleshed out. It story

at time feels lacking, etc. But overall, the parts that the film does do well, the performances, the sound design, the recreation of 50s New York City, the constantly building tension, all come

together to create a very exciting hole in a crowd-fable.

If you've seen Marty Supreme, let us know what you thought about it in the comments. Do you think Timothy deserves

comments. Do you think Timothy deserves the best actor Oscar for his performance? And make sure to check out

performance? And make sure to check out our playlist featuring our other videos covering the films in this year's Oscar race. That's the take. Click here to

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