Challengers
Challengers is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated R. Common Sense says 15.
STORY: A-
This straightforward story of a love triangle dives deeper into the ideas of dreams, obsession, and happiness than one might imagine.
Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor) are best friends, freshly graduated from an elite tennis academy. As they embark on the next step of their careers, they meet the only thing that could ever drive them apart: a drop dead, gorgeous tennis phenom named Tashi Duncan (Zendaya).
Which of the three will find success? Who will find love? Will any of them find true happiness?
THE SCOOP: Check out the Challengers IMDb page, here.
PEOPLE: A
A scorching trio of performances set the court - and the screen - on fire.
Art is the pragmatic dreamer. Patrick is a realist, allergic to any shade of unnecessary responsibility. And Tashi is half tennis-savant/ half semi-truck, unconcerned with who she has to run over en route to being the best she can be.
Each actor wears their personality like a hockey goalie mask - something strong, designed to protect them from the never ending complications life shoots at them. But occasional glimpses of doubt seep through their cracks. As a result, each character comes across as a real human being instead of a trite caricature.
CAST PARTY: Check out MTV’s interview with Mike Faist, Zendaya, and Josh O’Connor, here. (5 mins)
FILM NERD STUFF: A+
It’s a grand slam for every single one of the craft departments.
Screenplay. Editing. Cinematography. Hair. Makeup. Sound. Music. It’s not ridiculous to think that every single one of them will receive awards love next year, even with a release date this early in the calendar.
The only unforced error the film commits occurs in a scene with lots of CGI sweat (though to be completely fair, the hyperbole-sized sweat pouring off of Art and Patrick is most likely intentional).
I bring up this slight miscue for the same reason they tell you not to click a “5” for every response on a recommendation form, since that makes it look like you haven’t put any thought into your opinions. Trust me, I have.
The movie is a masterpiece of film craft.
BEHIND THE MUSIC: Check out an interview with soundtrack composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, here. (2 mins)
CLUB TENNIS, REDEFINED (Elective Class): A
The soundtrack creates a sublime metaphor for life.
A pounding bass drum thumps its way through the climatic tennis match. At first, I thought the music is only there to amp up the big match. But the longer director (and DJ?) Luca Guadagnino refuses to lift that platter off the turntable, one begins to wonder what else the music could be doing. And then it hit me, like a topspin serve to the brain.
Tennis court = dance floor.
Really. Indulge me.
Instead of surrendering to the rhythms of the music, the players surrender to the rhythm of the game. They begin to move (and sweat and - yes - even shed some layers!), controlled not by themselves, but by the experience. They transform into the most natural, primal, and - I daresay - authentic versions of themselves.
The camera is the music’s co-conspirator. It spins around frantically. We see sweat flying, clothes flying, and people wordlessly searching for any kind of connection. Maybe they’ll share a dance or two. Maybe they’ll quickly shimmy on to the next person. Maybe they’ll play some head games, spinning someone into a jealous rage. Or maybe, just maybe, they’ll fall in love.
I’m telling you, the only things missing from Center Court are some strobe lights, a fog machine, and people puking in the bathroom.
This isn’t necessarily the “right” way to read the movie. It’s certainly not the only way, and it may not even be the best way. But I believe looking at the movie from this angle will add a bit more pop to your viewing experience, the same way that choosing a fun flavor on one of those massive flat screen soda machines provides a pinch more pizazz to your combo meal.
So take my advice: pretend the final match takes place in a dance club. Doing so unlocks the tantalizing themes simmering beneath the film’s sizzling surface.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Challengers is more a movie with lots of tennis in it than a true “tennis movie.” Guadagnino’s tennis scenes definitely dazzle with sparkle and pep, but the story is more interested in investigating our relationship to the sport and to each other.
It’s an astounding achievement and arguably the best crafted film of the year so far.