Marty Supreme Movie Review

By Jack Tellier

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE FILMS: "MARTY SUPREME," "UNCUT GEMS," AND "GOOD TIME."

If you’re already a fan of the Safdie brothers’ films, you’ll most likely enjoy “Marty Supreme.” Although this film is directed only by Josh Safdie and not both brothers, the movie is full of their usual trademarks: chase scenes, well-written sequences of quickly piling dramatic irony, and claustrophobic framing to add to the overall anxiety a moviegoer will feel when watching these moments. However, the most prevalent Safdie staple here is Marty Supreme himself, who is similar to the Safdies’ other protagonists.

When I first came out of the theater, I wasn’t sure what I felt and told myself I had to think about it a little longer to form an opinion. I initially felt somewhat disappointed because, to me, “Marty Supreme” felt pretty similar to “Good Time” and “Uncut Gems.” Ironically, I was most excited by the ping-pong scenes because it felt different.

However, I think this is Josh Safdie at his most effective. He is handling a lot of different situations at once and executes them very well. The scene of the gas station catching fire and the shootout at the house next door can feel like a little much if you’re expecting a traditional sports movie. However, this is simply a thriller within the world of sports.

Although my personal favorite is their second film, “Daddy Longlegs,” each Safdie film has gotten better and comes closer to mastering the crime thriller genre. Marty is the relentless and obsessive character archetype similar to those of “Good Time” and “Uncut Gems,” meaning that he will never get what he wants. If he wins something, he needs to win more; he is always chasing an egotistical high. Howard from “Uncut Gems” dies because he cared too much about money and winning. If Connie wasn’t arrested at the end of “Good Time,” he probably would have found his brother and continued a life of crime.

However, the ending of “Marty Supreme” is more life-affirming, as we see Marty look into the eyes of his newborn son and begin to cry. This is a pregnancy that our protagonist has been ignoring the entire movie as he pursues being a world champion. Upon seeing his child, he finally realizes that this is now the most important thing in the world. Marty wanted to compete in and win the championship, but all he truly needed was to know he could beat Endo and to stop running from his life back home. The film is bookended with conception and birth; so much craziness can occur, or so much can be achieved, in less than a year.

I also thought the cast was really fun and unique. Abel Ferrara plays a gritty mobster character that could fit perfectly in one of his own films; Fran Drescher is great; Ted Williams, the “homeless man with a golden voice,” has a small role; Penn Jillette is unrecognizable as Hoff the farmer; Kevin O’Leary and Tyler, the Creator are fun to watch but mostly just play themselves; and Timothée Chalamet is superb.

“Marty Supreme” is a really well-made and fun watch. I’ll definitely think more about it throughout the week, but I had to get a review out as I was told I would be whipped and beaten if I didn’t post to Sadprt. Also, fun fact I just found: The Safdie brothers are first cousins to Dov Charney, founder of American Apparel. I hope everyone had a great Christmas.