βChallengersβ ups the tennis game.
Instead of focusing on coaching, all-important tournaments and endorsement deals, it looks at the relationships between players.
Key to the story: a friendship that began when two were doubles partners and roommates.
Arthur (Mike Faist) is the more dedicated one; Patrick (Josh OβConnor) is the rebel. Both, however, have their eyes on Tashi (Zendaya), a top female player who seems like the perfect partner for two singles.
The two express interest; she teases both and, yes, because this is a Luca Guadagnino film, there is some sexual tension between the men. One succeeds with Tashi, the other battles to stay afloat.
The time shifts (from past to present to past) happen so frequently itβs like watching a real match.
When we finally figure things out, Patrick is scrambling to get in a Challengers match to prove his worth; Arthur (who has six Grand Slam trophies) wants to use it as a brush-up for the U.S. Open, the one tournament he hasnβt won.
As farfetched as it may seem, the two meet in the finals and, there, we see those adolescent fears and dreams play out.
βChallengersβ has so much swagger itβs funny someone isnβt called out. Both actors, however, are good at playing the age range Guadagnino requires. Zendaya, meanwhile, owns everything. Even though her playing days are over, sheβs calling the shots, getting both men to do what she wants.
What doesnβt quite square is the separation. If Art and Patrick were best buds for years, why would they be so clueless about each other a decade later? Similarly, why didnβt they stay in touch?
Court play is fascinating, but it canβt keep up with the hotel hopping that fills much of the scorecard. Thereβs a threesome early on, but itβs not as steamy as you might think. Thatβs saved for the β13 years laterβ scenes that manage to involve OβConnor with his friends.
What isnβt explained is the directorβs fascination with the playersβ feet. Theyβre barefoot, routinely, and no one seems to complain of aches, pains or sores.
Zendaya plays much of her contemporary moments like Faye Dunaway in βNetwork.β Sheβs on top; the others are just listening. She also seems fairly focused on her one player. Considering sheβs trying to help him win, youβd think sheβd have intel on all the competitors. Instead, Patrickβs appearance is a shock to her, too.
While βChallengersβ doesnβt go too deep (into tennis, the relationships or the surrounding world), it does give the sport a gloss it rarely enjoys. None of the action takes place on Center Court in one of the Grand Slams but it has the sheen of something rich and exclusive.
Like Joel Schumacher years ago, Guadagnino concentrates on visuals and comes away with a film thatβs not just interesting, itβs highly attractive.
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "28 Years Ago"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "28 Years Later" is much more than a zombie film; it's the film that launches Alfie William's acting career.
Movies in a Minute: "Materialists"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Materialists" had potential with its great cast, but its plot comes up short.
Movies in a Minute: "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina," isn't fancy, but it does get the job done.
Movies in a Minute: "Karate Kid: Legends"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Karate Kid: Legends" is necessarily bad, just unnecessary.
Movies in a Minute: "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning "
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" is a decent summer action film showing there's still life in an old franchise.
Movies in a Minute: "Nonnas"
UpdatedWhile the premise may be a little underbaked, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Noonas" lets Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire and Susan Sarandon get cooking.
Movies in a Minute: "Fight or Flight"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment, editor says "Fight or Flight" is so full of stunts, it reminds of action films that starred Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt and Sandra Bulllock.
Movies in a Minute: "Thunderbolts*"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says Florence Pugh's acting in "Thunderbolts*" is forceful and keeps the action moving along.
Movies in a Minute: "The Accountant 2"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that although "The Accountant 2" is a good buddy film, this sequel could use an audit.
Movies in a Minute: "Sinners"
Updated"Sinners" is a wild ride according to Bruce Miller, the Sioux City Journal's entertainment reporter. Filmmakers Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have created an unstoppable movie.
Movies in a Minute: "Warfare"
Updated"Warfare" is gritty and disturbing. It also one of the best films of the year according to Sioux City Journal movie critic Bruce Miller.
Movies in a Minute: "A Minecraft Movie"
UpdatedWill this movie please you? Or, will it annoy you? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that could very much depend on what generation you are.
Movies in a Minute: "Death of a Unicorn"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says pitting unicorns against humans is a pretty dicey proposition.
Movies in a Minute: "Snow White"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says the live-action version of Disney's classic "Snow White" echos the original, but doesn't do it justice.
Movies in a Minute: "Novocaine"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that in "Novocaine," Jack Quade's lack of pain is your gain.
Movies in a Minute: "Mickey 17"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says "Mickey 17" director Bong Joon Ho skates on the edge of Stanley Kubrick's best work.
Movies in a Minute: "Flow"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Flow" proves that a film doesn't have to have dialog to tell a brilliant story. The film won the Academy Award for best animated feature.
Movies in a Minute: "Last Breath"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Last Breath" is like few rescue films today.
Movies in a Minute: "Captain America Brave New World"
UpdatedIs "Captain America Brave New World" a decent film? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that while Anthony Mackie is a fine replacement for Chris Evans, the movie itself is too muddled.
Movies in a Minute: "Heart Eyes"
UpdatedIs "Heart Eyes" a horror movie or is it a romance flick? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says the film wasn't faithful to either genre.
Movies in a Minute: "Flight Risk"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, wouldn't call "Flight Risk" the worst movie of the year, but......
Movies in a Minute: This Oscar season, musicals are "pop u lar!"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says this year two musicals have been nominated for Best Picture - the first time that has happened in 60 years.
Movies in a Minute: "Wolf Man"
UpdatedIs it possible to fight off a monster with a kitchen knife, in a desolate place with no cell service? And in the DARK???? Well...... maybe, or maybe not. In "Wolf Man," Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter says the folks being stalked do everything wrong.
Movies in a Minute: "Better Man"
UpdatedFor a movie featuring a primate as a rock star, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter says "Better Man" doesn't monkey around.
Movies in a Minute: "Babygirl"
UpdatedWhat happens when the intern hits on the boss? Bruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Babygirl" may hold the answer.
Movies in a Minute: "The Brutalist"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says "the Brutalist" is a film that will stand the test of time and remind others just how important creativity is to the moviemaking process.
Movies in a Minute: "Nosferatu"
UpdatedYou can't say Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller didn't warn you.... DON'T watch "Nosferatu" after dark.
Movies in a Minute: "A Complete Unknown"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that while "A Complete Unknown" is a respectful screen biography of Bob Dylan, it would be better served with a little less music and a little more grit.
Movies in a Minute: "Nickel Boys"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says βNickel Boysβ may seem jarring at first. But once you understand this is a slice of life, not the product of some writerβs imagination, you can dig in and appreciate this stunning work of of cinematography.
Movies in a Minute: "Moana 2"
UpdatedEven though Auliβl Cravalho, the voice of Moana, sings the heck out of her songs, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says βMoana 2β has such a similar trajectory to the original that it almost looks like a remake.
Movies in a Minute: "We Live in Time"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute: "Smile 2"
UpdatedMovies in a Minute: "Saturday Night"
UpdatedIs "Saturday Night," a genesis story of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," the best movie of the year? Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says it's a contender.
Movies in a Minute: "Joker: Folie `a Deux"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Joker: Folie `a Deux," a music-filled movie, was a good idea, but it had nowhere to go.
Movies in a Minute: "Megalopolis"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says "Megalopolis" is "classic, removed and, at times, overdone." (and those are his nice comments)
Movies in a Minute: "Transformers One"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Transformers One" is an origins story that details how the whole idea came about. The film looks good, runs less than two hours and doesnβt make you feel like youβve entered some strange new world.
Movies in a Minute: "Speak No Evil"
Updated"Speak No Evil" is visually messy and disjointed. It becomes one of those horror films that makes you want to scream at the screen.
Movies in a Minute: "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that when Beetlejuice, Michael Keatonβs crazy-haired bio-exorcist, appears all is right in the crazy world of this sequel to 1988's "Beetlejuice." But be forewarned - if you're not familiar with the original movie, you may have some catching up to do.
Movies in a Minute: "Reagan"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Reagan" squeezes too much drama into one film. It's a CliffsNotes approach to history just hitting the highlights and quickly moving on.
Movies in a Minute: "Blink Twice"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says if you put a bunch of people on an island just about anything can happen..... and, in "Blink Twice," it does.
Movies in a Minute "Alien: Romulus"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Alien: Romulus" isnβt afraid to throw in a good olβ popcorn surprise when you least expect it. You donβt have to know a thing about the earlier βAlienβ films to enjoy this one.
Movies in a Minute: "It Ends With Us"
Updated"It Ends with Usβ becomes yet another protracted romance in which no one is honest and open. Itβs an OK relationship drama, it just didnβt need more than two hours to make its point.
Movies in a Minute: "Trap"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Trap" is an interesting concept, particularly since it plays on understandable fears.
Movies in a Minute: "Deadpool & Wolverine"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Deadpool & Wolverine" is the Marvel film for everyone who has grown weary of superheroes and their overly long stories. Teaming with Jackman was a brilliant move. The yin and yang of the new Marvel Universe can take on everyone and still manage a smirk.
Movies in a Minute: "Twisters"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Twisters" whips up plenty of action to be one of the best movies this summer.
Movies in a Minute "Maxxxine"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Maxxxine" doesnβt accomplish much or really scare. Itβs a visual treat but a scary movie dud. Itβs merely an attempt for a director to walk in otherβs shoes, not blaze new trails.
Movies in a Minute "Despicable Me 4"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Despicable Me 4" is all over the map, looking for something to stick. Itβs fine for those with short attention spans but for everyone else itβs a mess to sort out.
Movies in a Minute "A Quiet Place: Day One"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says the joy of "A Quiet Place: Day One" is how well Lupita Nyongβo conveys every emotion without words. Sheβs a wonderful actress who makes you care about her, her cat and the law student, played by Joseph Quinn. When theyβre in danger, weβre in danger. When theyβre exhaling, weβre exhaling.
Movies in a Minute: "Thelma"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment critic Bruce Miller says that while the action in βThelmaβ may not be all that realistic, itβs highly entertaining and just the ticket for audiences tired of three-part dramas.
Movies in a Minute: "Inside Out 2"
UpdatedJournal Entertainment Editor Bruce Miller says:Β Without the learning curve of the first film, "Inside Out 2" is more understandable and ready for Riley, the 13-year-old owner of said emotions, to put them to the test.Β Itβs like playing a familiar game with more players.
Movies in a Minute "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" doesnβt try to deliver big messages, it's just a lot of fun.
Movies in a Minute: "Summer Camp"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says βSummer Campβ doesnβt have a spark that could start a fire.
Movies in a Minute: "The Blue Angels"
Updated"The Blue Angels" documentary shows us what itβs like to be the best of the best. For fans of air shows, itβs a great βrest of the storyβ production.
Movies in a Minute: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" includes the best motion capture performance weβve seen and, easily, the reason this film works so well. No matter how many βPlanet of the Apesβ films youβve seen, this is the one to embrace.
Movies in a Minute: "The Fall Guy"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Fall Guy" rolls out every jaw-dropping stunt possible and manages to pull the curtain back on the movie industry.
Movies in a Minute: "Abigail"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says that if you get an invitation to dinner from "Abigail" just say it got lost in the mail. She's a messy eater.
Movies in a Minute: "Civil War"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Civil War" seems like a film designed to scare audiences into attention.
Movies in a Minute: "Monkey Man"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Monkey Man" never sits still. The film is full of extreme close-up shots which are impossible to ignore and, often, easy to misread.
Movies in a Minute: "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" isnβt as good as previous mashups, but this, you might say, is the βOppenheimerβ of the monsterverse.
Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Late Night With the Devil" toys with its audience and plays out much like an old-school talk show.
Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Snack Shack" is Profane, constantly in motion and very retro. Itβs the vacation you didnβt think you needed but sure were glad you took.
Movies in a Minute: "The Color Purple"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Color Purple" is an all-singing all-dancing extravaganza that sometimes overshadows the story of Celie, but it's a powerful film that packs a punch.
Movies in a Minute: "The Iron Claw"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Iron Claw" is a fascinating slice of life that suggests all the fame in the world may look great but it canβt replace a little parental love.
Movies in a Minute: "Wonka"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Wonka,β the prequel to βWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,β is just as delightful as the original.
Movies in a Minute: "May December"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "May December" goes deeper than any investigative story and hurts more than a well-timed social media post.
Movies in a Minute: "The Marvels"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "The Marvels" is not very interesting. The three crime fighters take on a baddie looking for a second bracelet but universal domination shouldnβt be the goal of everyone in a superhero movie.
Movies in a Minute: "Five Nights at Freddy's"
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says "Five Nights at Freddy's" is like something youβd find on Nickelodeon over Halloween weekend. It isn't a chilling gore fest. It tests the nerves but it doesnβt fry the brain.
Movies in a Minute: βIndiana Jones And The Dial Of Destinyβ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says βIndiana Jones And The Dial Of Destinyβ has enough close calls to wonder if this really is his last trek. As with all Indiana Jones films, this one rarely sits still.
Movies in a Minute: β80 for Bradyβ
UpdatedMovie critic Bruce Miller says β80 for Bradyβ is really just a good idea that goes nowhere.
