'Challengers' Is Pleasure Incarnate: Sexy, Funny, Throbbing
Attention to all heterosexual individuals, only homosexual individuals are allowed to create Sports Movies from now on. We understand that Sports have been your comfort zone. As for me, I have always been fine with that and my previous Sports Movies reviews can prove it. However, Luca Guadagnino, with his mesmerizing tennis-themed movie called Challengers, has changed my perspective. The film showcased Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist's well-sculpted torsos as they consumed Gatorade bottles and bananas with a suggestive wink. It made me realize that this is what Sports is all about! I am now interested in jocks and want to be part of this culture!
Ignoring the tired and offensive jokes about gay stereotypes, Challengers is successful because it doesn't care much about tennis. Even if you're unfamiliar with tennis terminology such as "advantage set" and "golden slam," the director and script writer don't make a big deal about it. The film purposefully makes the sport hard to understand. Like many other sports movies, it uses the game to illustrate relationships between the characters. However, Challengers stands out as one of the best examples of this. This should be the standard for all sports movies.
The story in Challengers is broken up into different time periods, which can be confusing for the audience. The on-screen titles that tell us where we are in the timeline feel like a joke because they are so complicated. The movie starts near the end with two tennis players, Patrick and Art, on opposite sides of the court. Tashi is the beautiful girl in the stands who has come between them. We will learn how they all ended up here, but for now, the court itself is dividing them into a literal triangle.
The camera work in Guadagnino's latest film is a sight to behold, with Sayombhu Mukdeeprom once again capturing stunning visuals reminiscent of their work on Call Me By Your Name and Suspiria. The film itself plays out like a dramatic soap opera with its use of camera movement, dramatic cuts, and exaggerated reactions to create a heightened sense of melodrama. To top it all off, the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is an absolute banger that perfectly complements the visuals. This film isn't about subtlety, but rather pure joy and excitement that will leave audiences cheering and entranced by its visceral style.
The movie Challengers is filled with excitement, humor, and sensuality. Luca, the director, and his cast are enjoying themselves and want the audience to feel the same. Even during the more melancholy scenes, this film showcases its bold and powerful characters, who are proud of their sexuality. Guadagnino is known for creating films that celebrate pleasure, but Challengers stands out as the most playful and joyful movie yet. The camera movements are fluid and dynamic, with the editing adding to the overall immersive experience. Challengers will make your heart race as it confidently displays its own passionate heart.
The starting act of Challengers is slow as it sets the story in the present day. It's like the moments before starting a game when everything is still. The characters Art and Tashi, who are now married with a young daughter, are waiting for a match to begin. Art silently stares at the sunlight, which is how the first act feels like. Once the main triangle (Art, Patrick, and Tashi) is established, the film's rhythm picks up, even as it jumps between time periods. The only noticeable differences being people's hairstyles. Art and Patrick were once close friends, but Tashi came between them, and things changed. This is when the story starts to accelerate with excitement - cue techno music and vibrating legs.
The relationships between the three individuals break and come back together in a confusing way (just like life). They move up, down, and sideways while dancing on the tennis court. However, all of this leads up to an inevitable and powerful ending thanks to the film's well-crafted storyline, expert editing, and impressive acting. Their emotions are like a tornado, throwing them around like figurative toys. This movie is a perfect example of "poetry in motion". Luca seems to be flaunting his talent now.
Love triangles have been a common plot device for centuries and yet in Challengers, they remain exciting and captivating. The actors' performances are a significant contributing factor, with both male leads giving star-worthy performances and Zendaya's already established talent shining through. However, it's the camera work that truly stands out, thanks to Guadagnino & Co. Their restlessness and curiosity never waver, and they continuously find new and captivating ways to capture Josh O'Connor's striking features. It's no surprise that actors are eager to work with Guadagnino - his passion for their craft is palpable and alluring.
The Challengers machine has a purpose - to show us the importance of why these two men are on either side of the net, with a girl in the middle. It's not just about sports, as director Guadagnino has made clear. He's created a movie that explores the very heart of competitiveness and why we strive for success. The movie is raw, emotional, and intense, and it reminds us what drives us forward and why we are alive. It's a powerful message that will stay with you long after the end credits roll.
