Marty Supreme - 9 nominations

 

Best Casting: Jennifer Venditti

Best Achievement in Cinematography: Darius Khondji

Best Motion Picture of the Year: Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet

Best Achievement in Directing: Josh Safdie

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Timothée Chalamet

Best Original Screenplay: Josh Safdie (writer), Ronald Bronstein (writer)

Best Achievement in Production Design: Jack Fisk (production designer), Adam Willis (set decorator)

Best Achievement in Costume Design: Miyako Bellizzi

Best Achievement in Film Editing: Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie

Marty Mauser is a shoe salesman with a dream - to become the world champion table tennis player. He is a hustler, he has a married girlfriend who is pregnant with his baby, and what’s more, each one of his disastrous decisions puts him in danger, or at least right at the edge of it. But he is singularly focused on achieving greatness, much like the actor who plays him and openly says that he aspires to be one of the all-time greats in his own field. The film is frenetic, much like Josh Safdie’s other works (especially Uncut Gems), and this is another year in a row when the Producer/Director is also the Writer/Editor and is nominated for all four categories (including Best Picture). Last year, Sean Baker took home all four prizes.

Does this put Marty Supreme on the path for the big win, Best Picture? In the mix, maybe. For the win? I don’t think so. Having said that, it’s hard to argue that the frenetic style of movie making - when done well - must be a top contender for Editing. And Timothee (who longtime readers of the blog will know I have nicknamed “Greasy” because even after an on-screen shower, he still somehow looks a bit greasy to me) was outstanding. For an actor who brings his A game powerfully in every role, this was his best performance of his career. The nominations in some of the technical categories (costume, production design) are expected for period pieces but are unlikely winners against films like Hamnet and this year’s darling, Sinners.

I highly recommend the film with the caveat that it can be dizzying. If you’re not up for that kind of experience, then give it a skip.