At the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in Los Angeles, California, Timothée Chalamet won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (2024) had quite the acceptance speech.
“I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” Chalamet said. “I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats.”
Public reaction to his comments sparked online discussion of whether Chalamet was being arrogant during his speech or simply announcing to the world what he wants to do with his career. Either way one can look at it, at 30 years old, Chalamet has won quite a few awards for his young age.
He is that type of performer who delicately chooses what he wants to star in, and his recent role as the ambitious table tennis prodigy Marty Mauser in Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” (2025). Like Chalamet’s remarks at last year’s SAG Awards, Mauser is eager to be truly great at what he does.
“Marty Supreme” follows 23-year-old Mauser, a shoe salesman who believes he’s destined to become a champion in table tennis. The film takes place in 1952 and is loosely based on real-life table tennis legend Marty Reisman, who was a famous player in the 40s and 50s.
Marty wants to escape his family’s business and pursue his dream of winning the British Open, defeating the reigning Hungarian champion Béla Kletzi and bringing American attention to the sport. However, he must go through extreme lengths to achieve this, which includes lying and manipulating those close to him.
Both Josh and Benny Safdie found themselves directing films about flawed athletes this year. In October 2025, Benny had “The Smashing Machine” released, starring Dwayne Johnson as former wrestler and mixed martial artist Mark Kerr.
That film was more a direct telling of the events of Kerr’s life through a cinematic scope, whereas Marty Reisman was more a blueprint for the character of Marty Mauser and not a replica.
Between the two brothers, Josh has come away with a far better film with a more engaging story. “Marty Supreme” is cut from the same cloth as the Safdies’ “Good Time” (2017) and “Uncut Gems” (2019), with its high-intensity scenarios and cautionary tales of someone who thinks they are invincible.
Marty’s aspiration to be the best of the best at table tennis is nothing short of commendable, but how he does it and who it negatively affects in the film is where the character mirrors so many great athletes. The sport becomes Mauser’s addiction.
The same happens for Mauser and those around him. Mauser’s relationships with Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’zion), best friend Wally (Tyler, the Creator) and his own family are tested by his shenanigans and ultimately suffer in one way or another.
While Chalamet has one of the most notable performances, all of the other actors, such as A’zion and Tyler, the Creator, are beyond belief. Marty befriends famous fictional actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow) and her wealthy husband, Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary). Paltrow’s and O’Leary’s character portrayals are great, too.
The only gripe about “Marty Supreme” is that there are stories with certain secondary characters that do not feel complete. Marty’s story seems to flow right past them, which definitely could be a point Josh Safide is trying to make. However, a few more scenes could have been added to clear up those individual stories.
“Marty Supreme” is in contention for being the best film of 2025. Not only that, but it has a case for being one of Chalamet’s career lead parts. The film still makes for an effective viewing.
Rating: 4.5/5
