Sunday 22 February 2026
(watched, at the theater 🍿)
⚠️ Spoilers ahead
Flawed characters are often interesting, but some of them stretch my tolerance beyond its limits (as can be attested by my recent viewing of Gone with the Wind). Marty Mauser lands in an interesting place in this spectrum, where an all-encompassing obsession makes him a insufferable asshole that only thinks of his only goal: Beating his nemesis, whatever the cost in money, relationships, dignity, and, at some points, close calls to his life.
I found this fascinating to watch, not only because of all the crazy disjointed storylines that emerge from such chaos, but because this heightens the stakes of the final match not to just an athlete's dream, but to the liberation of this character from the slavery of his obsession. So that he can finally think about something else, and so that we can finally have some modicum of hope that there is some good in him, that he can go back home and fix all the mess he has left behind. A path that the ending hints at, but of course never validates — are those tears those of a man who promises himself to become a good father, or those of someone who realizes he is not mentally equipped to succeed at this.
Timothée Chalamet carries this complex character for 2h30 with a spotless and consistent performance. I think he embodies the role really well. I cannot, for the love of God, understand why he didn't commit to this hairstyle for the awards season rather than whatever haircut he actually wears.
I loved the music and editing of this movie. The anachronism of it (80s synthwave soundtrack and tubes on a movie taking place in the 50s) only participates to the overall chaos and creativity. The nemesis is introduced with a leitmotiv that is very much alike the Michael Mayers theme from Halloween, which I found very funny. Everything goes very fast but never forgets to land for the good scenes.
⚠️ Spoilers ahead
Flawed characters are often interesting, but some of them stretch my tolerance beyond its limits (as can be attested by my recent viewing of Gone with the Wind). Marty Mauser lands in an interesting place in this spectrum, where an all-encompassing obsession makes him a insufferable asshole that only thinks of his only goal: Beating his nemesis, whatever the cost in money, relationships, dignity, and, at some points, close calls to his life.
I found this fascinating to watch, not only because of all the crazy disjointed storylines that emerge from such chaos, but because this heightens the stakes of the final match not to just an athlete's dream, but to the liberation of this character from the slavery of his obsession. So that he can finally think about something else, and so that we can finally have some modicum of hope that there is some good in him, that he can go back home and fix all the mess he has left behind. A path that the ending hints at, but of course never validates — are those tears those of a man who promises himself to become a good father, or those of someone who realizes he is not mentally equipped to succeed at this.
Timothée Chalamet carries this complex character for 2h30 with a spotless and consistent performance. I think he embodies the role really well. I cannot, for the love of God, understand why he didn't commit to this hairstyle for the awards season rather than whatever haircut he actually wears.
I loved the music and editing of this movie. The anachronism of it (80s synthwave soundtrack and tubes on a movie taking place in the 50s) only participates to the overall chaos and creativity. The nemesis is introduced with a leitmotiv that is very much alike the Michael Mayers theme from Halloween, which I found very funny. Everything goes very fast but never forgets to land for the good scenes.
Excellent movie.