Challengers is a non-linear sports film about how three people once met way back AND met again in a Challenger Series before the US Open Tennis Competition AND how their life intertwine between the years.
Hated the first third of this film. The ADHD Luhrmann edit and annoyingly overlong setup that they were actually a threesome. That third could have been halved to be honest. It did drag a bit. This could have been a shorter glimpse of the past to be honest. I also felt that stylistically, it was sort of a weird outlier to the overall film. I think Luca decided to switch it up mid-shoot AND it shows. It such a left field compared to most of the film.
But it picks up when it realized that it is about jealousy, bitterness and desperation. The last two thirds definitely is great film. Everything was starting to fall to its place AND the setups smoothly falls to pieces (though definitely easy to catch). I think it really drives well the intention of each character (much better than the initial scenes). The director also found footing on the style he wants to take with the film, though I have a major concern with the ending. A weird demonization of Tashi towards the end leaves a weird taste in my mouth. Its particularly weirder given the widely homoerotic tone of the film. Its too forthright with the 'homie'-sexuality that I think the way the it push that Tashi's machination is extremely selfish and self-serving can border to icky. In comparison, the boys are characterized as changed, loyal and is doing it for her. I think it can be interpreted as that she is awful AND is shown to be the only person being deceitful during both of her relationship with the man. Wished they handled it in a better way that gave her at least a redeeming quality. I think that was the downer of the film.
Otherwise, the soundtrack is really good but weirdly mixed. This might be a case of a bad cinema but there where moments that the soundtrack is suddenly so loud that you could barely hear the dialogue. I do not know if that is a stylistic choice BUT its just bizarrely rises and loses steam mid scenes AND I found it infuriating at times.
Acting-wise, Josh O'Connor. He was running in circles against Zendaya and Faist in this film. He knows how to be mischievous and mysterious. I even think that had he took Faist role, he can improve the role even. He was so good, given that he is dorky in real life. You could see someone who can inhibit character. Large kudos to that. Zendaya is a somewhat distant second. Again, not the biggest fan of Tashi's characterization BUT this is her most 'adult' role in terms of both sexuality AND just showing personality. Wished she pursue this kind of role that show her as a more complicated person that exist in a realistic world. Faist was fine BUT his acting really leaves much to be desired.
I will definitely watch again if given a chance. Personally, Guadagnino's most realized effort yet.
Hated the first third of this film. The ADHD Luhrmann edit and annoyingly overlong setup that they were actually a threesome. That third could have been halved to be honest. It did drag a bit. This could have been a shorter glimpse of the past to be honest. I also felt that stylistically, it was sort of a weird outlier to the overall film. I think Luca decided to switch it up mid-shoot AND it shows. It such a left field compared to most of the film.
But it picks up when it realized that it is about jealousy, bitterness and desperation. The last two thirds definitely is great film. Everything was starting to fall to its place AND the setups smoothly falls to pieces (though definitely easy to catch). I think it really drives well the intention of each character (much better than the initial scenes). The director also found footing on the style he wants to take with the film, though I have a major concern with the ending. A weird demonization of Tashi towards the end leaves a weird taste in my mouth. Its particularly weirder given the widely homoerotic tone of the film. Its too forthright with the 'homie'-sexuality that I think the way the it push that Tashi's machination is extremely selfish and self-serving can border to icky. In comparison, the boys are characterized as changed, loyal and is doing it for her. I think it can be interpreted as that she is awful AND is shown to be the only person being deceitful during both of her relationship with the man. Wished they handled it in a better way that gave her at least a redeeming quality. I think that was the downer of the film.
Otherwise, the soundtrack is really good but weirdly mixed. This might be a case of a bad cinema but there where moments that the soundtrack is suddenly so loud that you could barely hear the dialogue. I do not know if that is a stylistic choice BUT its just bizarrely rises and loses steam mid scenes AND I found it infuriating at times.
Acting-wise, Josh O'Connor. He was running in circles against Zendaya and Faist in this film. He knows how to be mischievous and mysterious. I even think that had he took Faist role, he can improve the role even. He was so good, given that he is dorky in real life. You could see someone who can inhibit character. Large kudos to that. Zendaya is a somewhat distant second. Again, not the biggest fan of Tashi's characterization BUT this is her most 'adult' role in terms of both sexuality AND just showing personality. Wished she pursue this kind of role that show her as a more complicated person that exist in a realistic world. Faist was fine BUT his acting really leaves much to be desired.
I will definitely watch again if given a chance. Personally, Guadagnino's most realized effort yet.