Challengers movie review. Italian director Luca Guadagnino, who left his mark on the recent period with I am Love, A Bigger Splash, Suspiria and, of course, one of the modern masterpieces Call Me by Your Name, took his place in cinemas with his latest film Challengers. Starring rising stars Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor.
The film has a story that winks at many genres and makes various stops, although its main line is based on tennis. Although it bears traces of his filmography, we have a different Guadagnino film in terms of both its tempo and narrative choices. Unlike his other films, Challengers is a versatile film that will appeal to the general audience this time, as well as attracting viewers who love sports movies.
The movie begins with a final match between two close friends that goes to a tiebreak. Then we return to the match that the same duo won together years ago. Then, occasionally dreams, passions and sudden decisions appear. This jumping cut is unlike any other cut we have seen so far; rather, we watch it like an exciting tennis match.
This conscious narrative, full of details, manages to attract even those who are far from the sport of tennis. Our faces are here and there, present and past, just like in matches, and we do not understand how time flows. The music that supports this narrative and that we are not used to seeing in Guadagnino’s films also makes a solid contribution.
Having mentioned the name of the director, we can say that it is possible to see some of the trademarks of his cinema in this film, but we should not expect a taste similar to his filmography. It will be accepted by everyone that it stands a little closer to mainstream cinema. I say this not because it’s a weaker movie, but just to point out that it’s different. Adjusting your expectations according to this comment will be beneficial in terms of enjoyment.
The main character of the movie is Tashi, played by Zendaya, in whom we witness one of her best performances ever. It all starts with her glamor and her impressing two friends. Later, an unexpected injury in his career turns him into a person full of anger and ambition. Of course, this anger and ambition has to be directed in another direction and towards someone else due to injury. It is inevitable that he will influence and mobilize both friends on this issue.
Then comes the love triangle, which starts with sexual tension and turns into irresistible passion. In this regard, Tashi plays the leading role in all the successes and failures of men. In fact, this effect reaches such a strong and sexy place that I think it would not be wrong to call Tashi a femme fatale character at one point.
Because, whatever he says about this love that he can never break away from and that creates storms within him even if there are gaps in between, comes true and Tashi acts knowing full well that this power is in his hands. Whatever happens in the story, it all happens almost as a result of this power. Zendaya also adds depth to this femme fatale stance with her performance. He uses this power so intensely that he almost manipulates the audience. At this point, Guadagnino also draws on the queer cinema vein we are familiar with. The only thing that can handle this richness in terms of content is its magnificent fiction.
The editing, which is one of the greatest strengths of the film, is created like a tennis competition, as I mentioned at the beginning. In this sense, it is quite successful. Temporal jumps, scenes that properly reflect the atmosphere of the match, and the romantic process that is always pregnant with anything are blended wonderfully with the masterful fiction.
Guadagnino, who can create a stylized result from the drift of a tennis ball, strengthens this aspect with detailed surprises that will stir up the fiction. When the techno-based music that keeps up with the tempo is added, the result is a film that is stylistically wonderful and does not feel its duration at all. Immersing yourself in the movie is more than enough to enjoy it. In the final analysis, it would not be wrong to say that it is probably one of the best films of the year, that it will make a difference with its tempo and editing, and that everyone will leave the theater happy.
Challengers (2024)
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist, Jake Jensen, Andre Gadbois, Faith Fay, Heidi Garza, Shane T Harris, Keanu Ham, Emelia Camille Harewood, Scottie DiGiacomo, Carlyne Fournier
Screenplay by: Justin Kuritzkes,
Production Design by: Merissa Lombardo
Cinematography by: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
Film Editing by: Marco Costa
Costume Design by: J.W. Anderson
Set Decoration by: J.W. Anderson
Set Decoration by: J.W. Anderson
Art Direction by: Paul Alix, Jasmine Cho, Matthew Gatlin
Music by: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, some sexual content and graphic nudity.
Distributed by: Amazon MGM Studios (United States), Warner Bros. Pictures (International)
Release Date: April 26, 2024
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