Review: Timothee Chalamet supersizes career in 'Marty Supreme'

Audiences overlooked how truly talented Leonardo Di Caprio was in his early days. In film after film, he battled through all sorts of roles and won new admirers.

Now, Timothee Chalamet is in those “prove it” years, but he’s not letting anyone overlook him. In “Marty Supreme,” a wild, ever-moving account of a ping-pong player’s life, he seizes every moment and comes away with a performance for the ages. This — not Bob Dylan in last year’s “A Complete Unknown” — is his valedictory. It draws on new skills, capitalizes on his high energy and lets him surprise (with Gwyneth Paltrow, no less) in ways you didn’t imagine.

As the title character (loosely based on Marty Reisman, an international table-tennis pro), Chalamet darts through “Forrest Gump”-like situations and isn’t afraid to squirm his way out of tight situations. He gets into hustling games and vows to make it to London where he can serve on the biggest tables. His family (including Fran Drescher as his mother) isn’t sure he’ll make it, but he persists and quickly begins enjoying the spoils of success. When he spots a movie star (Paltrow) in the lobby of a hotel, he decides to spring into action. Interestingly, her husband (played by “Shark Tank’s” Kevin O’Leary) likes him and agrees to help push the career. Director Josh Safdie gives many scenes the twist of “The Sting” and the drama of “The Godfather.”

In fact, “Marty Supreme” is such a well-oiled machine, it could sit nicely in the cinematic weeds of the 1970s and hold up. In 2025, it’s an outlier — a quality film that doesn’t just blend in, it towers.

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Largely, that’s because Chalamet isn’t holding back on anything. When you see him escaping the clutches of many, you openly cheer for him. Marty’s a plucky individual who can serve his way out of any jam — and there are plenty, including close calls with hoods and authorities that make his forays overseas so important.

To make it to Tokyo (where he thinks he can jumpstart a career that was stalled in London), he begins hustling once again and survives all sorts of disasters (including a flood and bad publicity). Safdie shines during these “what next?” moments and lets Chalamet revel in the quick turns.

Like Marty, Safdie doesn’t miss an opportunity. He packs his film with acting newcomers and lets them follow Chalamet’s enthusiasm. The result is a kinetic achievement that deserves attention.

Supreme indeed.