For as long as cinema has been around, sports and competition has been a popular sub-genre spread throughout generations. From “Raging Bull” to “Air Bud”, we’ve been provided with a wide range of different types with tonal differences. In a particular instance, “Bull Durham” expertly combined competition, winner’s spirit, and sexual motivation. An engaging combination of aspects when you think about how they all correspond with each other.
Enter “Challengers” directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya. A brand new entry in the sports, drama sphere that tackles the game of tennis in a cinematic frame. Now, Guadagnino has had an interesting career that I find to be off and on. “Call Me By Your Name” was his major introduction to the widespread American audience and he hasn’t been consistent since. Given that context, “Challengers” is the finest film of his career so far.
Winning Performances
As a huge sports fan (and a fan of sex), I am happy to report that Luca Guadagnino understood the assignment when shaping these characters and their motivations. Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor deliver powerhouse performances that truly give insight on the nature of competitive spirit. Each have their own motivations and will do whatever it takes to win. If I’m being honest, I’m truly stunned at how calculated and fleshed out these characters are.
Zendaya gives the most accurate representation of a driven athlete that I’ve ever seen. A true winner’s mindset that has a romantic relationship with the game that she plays. She can’t quit it, even if it will cost her relationships and life lessons. She will do whatever it takes to excel in her position and to be on top or at least capture the feeling of it. She’s basically Tom Brady.
Mike Faist gives a very human performance and Josh O’Connor also carries a large portion of the film with his charm. Their desperate drive to pursue love, glory, and being the best is felt until the very final frame. They are all the nucleus of this film and all three excel with flying colors. You understand why they all want this so bad, but you never find yourself fully picking a side. Fantastic character writing.
Driven Filmmaking
“Challengers” has a film itself has little to no holes. Impeccable pacing, intense and personal photography, Fincher-esque editing, and a banging fucking soundtrack courtesy of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The structure of the story would usually be problematic for most filmmakers, but it helps build up each sweaty moment and the stakes are felt. Sports benefit from personal storylines and it doesn’t get much more personal than this.
Luca Guadagnino must be an avid sports viewer because there is no goddamn way you can just be this naturally talented at manufacturing competition such as this. I could see this shit being a 30 for 30 on ESPN. Everything building up to the final match explodes into a point for all characters involved and it is one of the most exhilarating scenes in a sports movie I’ve ever seen. Truly thrilling and intoxicating.
This Generation’s Sport Drama
At the end of it all though, what matters is some good fucking tennis.
I am absolutely pumped about “Challengers” and everything it offered. Exemplary filmmaking and scarily accurate character writing. Competitive, sexual drive amongst the characters and phenomenal acting across the board. This absolutely whipped ass.
I seriously doubt there will be another sports drama of this caliber for a while. This gets 5 stars from me because of how fucking pumped I am. Luca Guadagnino’s best film so far. Hell, I may even start playing tennis.
For more movie content, head over to Apollo HOU.
Sports masterpiece. Watch Movies.
