CHALLENGERS - Movie Review
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- Опубліковано 24 кві 2024
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I deeply appreciate how you review movies, based on merit, themes etc. and not succumb to manufactured hype around movies and actors.
Its so funny to me the reasons you dont like lucas style is why i love it haha
Lmao that commercial comment is spot on.i was literally thinking you could take that final sequence of the film,edit it down a bit ,and you would have the greatest Nike commercial of all time.
Nothing but respect for this film reviewer, she actually knows craft and nuance at a much deeper level than others.
"Metaphorically transparent" is a term that needs to be in everyone's lexicon.
Comparision to Y tu mamá también is a super point
That film is Shakespeare compared to this pos
Even though I disagree with points on this movie, I thoroughly enjoy your reviews. You know you’re a great critic when your stuff is palatable and entertaining, even if the viewer doesn’t share your opinion.
I’ve been making videos about film for a few months, and I definitely struggle with presenting my cons and dislikes of a film. Always worried that I’ll piss off people who love a film for the same reasons I don’t.
Watching your channel has been a great way to understand how to approach reviews, and to highlight the good and bad aspects of a film in a fair way.
Keep up the great work! 👍
Of course. You only exist to disagree.
The selling point for this movie was the promise of a erotica romance. However, what we actually get is weak characterisation. I think a class element may be the problem. They're actions are not motivated by any need to solve a problem, they just exist and are doing stuff. Even being injured only stopped her playing, her quality of life wasn't effected. If someone who is working towards playing in the NBA or NFL gets injured they're quality of life pivots. In some cases instantly, as in the loss of a scholarship. Because there's no need for the characters to work to pay the bills, it makes all the main characters passive in a character driven film. That is a foundation for a weak movie.
Great points. Movies about the petit-bourgeois need strong characters rather than pawns to be moved around a chessboard.
This and This..
Specially un tennis where Even if it's still a "rich kids" sport, the ammount of pressure behind the scenes it's inmense, it's a choices career, but needs a Lot of mental and emotional support, theres a Lot of human aspectos that they could take of they just cared more about the sport and the lives of people who compete in that would make a really interesting movie
This was such a great review because it was a honest review. Often what we tend to get is a propaganda review from The Rolling Stone saying how great a terrible movie is. Your review was so inclusive, filled with all the information that you know what to expect.
deepfocuslens a cut above all other UA-cam criticism!Lets go!
Because she hasn't sold her soul in exchange for the truth yet!
True, because she legit loves and is interested in movies. Geeking Out with James Hancock is another film review channel I really enjoy.
@@carsonlovescarts What!?
Her, Jeremy Jahns, Nedrotic, Critical Drinker are the ones I trust compared to sell out Stuckmann.
@@dboygamer8184 You might enjoy watching Dan Murrell. He had worked with the Honest Trailers group for a number of years, so he is both funny and insightful.
I was bowled over by "Bones and All" in terms of Guadagnino showing how versatile he can be. He pushed beyond the Italo-bellisima box wherein a guy like Paolo Sorrentino lives.
Except that Sorrentino is a far more interesting and intelligent director ….
@@user-lq9it4lv1v His elliptical, hazy storytelling tends to baffle me sometimes. But I thought "The Great Beauty" was quite good.
The energy of this movie is incredible. I love Challengers. I get your points but he really is matching the intensity of these characters with his direction.
I’d tell you to check out his previous BONES & ALL, which would give you the Guadanino that you’re looking for.
For a movie heavily leaning on its erotic pretensions there is surprisingly little real chemistry between the characters , each of whom is an irredeemable narcissist. The relationships never genuinely evolve or mature from there teenage meeting. Neither the tennis match nor the love triangle have any drama beyond the superficial . The thesis seems to be “Zendaya is attractive so people will watch”. Millions spent on marketing. Contrast this with the outstanding “Past Lives” which sadly will be watched by a fraction of the audience Challengers will attract.
So right.
It''s feeling a bit lonely over here on challengers island -- i enjoyed it quite a bit, think there's more depth than it's getting credit for. it's a little tricky when characters are metaphors but in challengers i thought each of the 3 had enough to them ... the three leads were excellent . Also something that I don't believe you or any of the comments have mentioned is how well done the tennis is. They made it very believable and enjoyable to watch, varying up how they portrayed the sport throughout, keeping it stylish and engaging while also making it seem as if the three leads can really play spare for an occasional shot here and there.
*Paul Schrader said in his positive review of the film that it should've been 20 mins shorter and I have to agree with that
wdym you feel lonely? everyone has been saying this is one of the best movies coming out in recent years
@@Kosiduss yea but i was talking about this review and the comments not in general
@@Kosiduss everyone? you're stuck in a bubble. We went 5 of by friend to see it because of the hype, we left at 80% of the movie. It was WORSE then Mme Webb, never tough I would say that. No idea why people loves those cancers. No wonder it's bombing hard, and will not recup it's low production cost. Hollywood have lost the competency to write story, and film them.
@@Flitalidapouet not a single shred of genuine criticism in this comment. the fact that you went to see it because of the "hype" and not because of the accomplished author behind it says everything about what kind of moviegoer you are though.
@@Kosiduss Thank you for the compliment, I would really hate to be in a "niche" minuscule group that loves the author. I prefer to be stuck with the majority who loves quality movies. As long as you don't care the movie no making money. All is fine.
I'm a little baffled at the acclaim this is getting. I thought it was okay, but things like the loud music drowning out dialogue and the Snyder-esque overuse of slomo drove me nuts.
IMO, when the music overpowers the conversation, it's because Luca wanted you to feel the emotions of the interactions versus the actual words.
It's just great direction. Though and through.
everything is great here. the cinematography, detail, symbolism, acting. the over-the-top-ness works in the context of the story and 'unlikable' characters imo.
@@dpirene1in other words he lets music drive the emotion rather than the merit of his writing. This movie was chock full of horrible writing, bad performances, awkward long shots that added nothing to the film. Super overrated movie.
@@jacos133 Lol...Luca purposely used the music in that way NOT to discount the writing but to get the audience emotionally involved in the scene. Tennis is a totally emotional sport. BTW, Luca didn't write this movie, Luca was the director. This was NOT a cookie cutter film. A LOT of things were directed like a tennis game. Time jumps were like the back and forth in a tennis match as well as the music. The fact that Zendaya as a teenage stated it's like being in a relationship/making love. She also stated that she just wanted to see some good f***king tennis and mentioned being a homewrecker a couple times during the film which she got at the ending of the movie plus the boys are friends again...thus the shouted 'COME ON' and the smirk.
I am not certain that I agee with the comment about Zendaya being "groomed for show business from a very young age". She got her first TV acting gig when she was 13. Both Zendaya's parents were school teachers in Oakland Ca. In interviews with her mother, it appears that Zendaya was less groomed to be an actor and more that she was determined to be one and they just supported her. Her mother had gotten a second job with a local theater group and Zendaya insisted on going to work with her and getting involved in the productions. Her father, who had five other children from a previous marriage, went with her down to LA when she was 12 or 13. Until then, she had lived in Oakland. (I remembered Zendaya from the Disney TV shows my Daughter watched as a child and Spiderman, so I clicked on one Jimmy Kimmel UA-cam video with her. The Algorithm has since inundated me with Zendaya content. )
Yea the zendaya part made no sense to me says she doesn't share much of her life (not sure why that matters) but then says only plays role that's just like her personality???
I stand completely opposed on the characterization of Arte and Patrick, I thought they were well developed male archetypes that admire each other's talent to an extent before their lives completely move apart.
During this movie, when the audience laughed, I wondered ‘am I dead inside’ or are these people around me dumb or both
Just watched the film today. I wish I could explain what criticisms I had as concisely and accurately as you did. :)
Love your channel. Can you please review The Royal Tenenbaums?
It was smart to bring up Y tu mama tambien. I watched Kermode's review and all he could think to do was compare this to other tennis movies, and of course pull his punches. That being said, he didn't make the mistake Maggie does of saying Challengers could have been a "home run". No dear, use a tennis expression. A love game. A straight sets victory. A romp.
Love the Y Tu Mama Tambien comparison! Havent thought of that one in years
I literally just came back from the theater and this is the first thing I see
Do you co-sign on this review?
@@waynedexter No, I thought it was really good. I enjoyed it throughout. Planning on watching it again soon.
We went 5 of by friend to see it because of the hype, we left at 80% of the movie. It was WORSE then Mme Webb, never tough I would say that. No idea why people loves those cancers. No wonder it's bombing hard, and will not recup it's low production cost. Hollywood have lost the competency to write story, and film them.
@@Flitalidapouet Funny. You guys left just before the best part of the movie, arguably. I enjoyed the movie even though in the beginning I was a little wary. But by the second act I was all in. The audience I watched the movie with were REALLY animated. In a good way. Which enhanced the experience for me. I think folks’ expectations will ultimately decide whether they’ll like this film. All the hype this movie is getting is raising the bar a smidge too high for it to meet imo.
@@Flitalidapouet Do you think it’s possible to like a movie that doesn’t have likable characters? Even though I would beg to differ that this is that movie
This amazing Lady drops intelligent deep (focus!) movie reviews like none other everytime 🎬👏🏻💯
Yeah there's no one on YT providing pure film critique as intellectually as she does.
I've watched it 3 days ago. I wish I didn't.
when it comes to Guadagnino, I have only enjoyed I Am Love. Maybe it was the simplicity of the story and its emotional exuberance, though now I am a little scared to see it again. I really looked forward to Call Me by Your Name and Suspiria but was thoroughly disappointed by both. The trailer for Challengers left me cold
i just wrote the same thing. i am love is his best film ( only one i really liked)
Great video! Would love to hear your opinion on Arthur The King
FYI you have 69.9K subscribers. Nice.
Given Luca Guadagnino's entirely foreign personal landscape (with him being from a Sicilian father and Algerian mother, and grew up in Ethiopia!), his films can feel so entirely American... without much hint that their director is so comparatively "exotic". His intense taste for art history is the only clue that he is indeed of the Old World, and specifically of the west Mediterranean. I once had an art history prof. who could be Nicole Kidman's Tunisian twin, and who would love to read me writing this.
Good review I totally agree about the time jumping.
In defense of the film, it was nice to see something that felt fresh with very good young actors. Compared to most contemporary American films, Challengers had a lot of style and momentum and was a lot of fun to watch. I'm glad Guadagnino exists. He brings a beauty and sensuality to film and tries to push the boundaries of style. I also thought of the great Y Tu Mama Tambien but I think Challenger's was going for a lighter feel. I thought it was a great Summer movie.
this is the only review that's doing it for me on this one
What are your thoughts of the 3 films directed by S. Craig Zahler? I love his style personally. Can’t wait for his next. Cheers!
I came out of this movie like I wonder what Maggie thought 😂
I loved it but I agree with some of what you say. I’m a big Luca fan I’m curious what you thought of I Am Love and A Bigger Splash?
You’re consistently my favourite film critic, I’m always interested to hear what you think
Dope music, that’s about it.
and cool tennis ball pov.
@@lowelldulin5853 its out of place and desperate
I kind of liked the movie. but I really hated the final scene 🤣 Also, I found the movie very much not sensual
Agreed. Too stylized and the reznor/ross score was too dancy to allow us in to the would be sensual moments
@@harryschiller5368 I love reznor and Ross, but lately they seem to give away their scrap material. Look at ‘Bird box’. And this score as well seems a pastiche of their old stuff.
My summary of the movie; Nike, Coca-Cola, Head, Gatorade, Aston-Martin, Uniqlo, Apple, Adidas...Anything I missed?
Have you ever reviewed Smoke Signals?
I'm anxiously waiting for her to review Abigail. It seems like the perfect Deepfocuslens film
i think i sono amore is his strongest film, because of the coldness of the characters. but besides that i totally agree with you.
most definitely the best movie review channel on the whole interweb. Kermode and Mayo, are you watching?
Very interesting review. Totally different of how I felt. I understood all three of them perfectly. Their emotions made total sense to me. I could understand their decisions and what let to them and I rarely have that feeling in movies. All three characters together are me!
So glad I found this review. The whole time after the first scene with the three of them in the hotel room, I was just waiting for the boys to stop dragging their feet and actually decide what they want. A whole lot of nothing happening between the beginning of the move and the final scene. Zendaya was probably the most interesting character in terms of motivations but by the end it didn’t really matter and she never got a payoff like the boys did. No theme to be found other than homosexual self actualization. Although I was thrilled to see two men kissing on screen in a very popular movie!
I’m was gonna watch it this past weekend but decided just wait till it comes in streaming for what I heard from the reviews
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who struggles with his films, they are all very soapy and sexualized in nature as well. I'll stick with mid-day mellowdrama television sitcoms!
Isnt that the point tho of this film and call me by your name in particular. Hes really good at capturing intimate moments
@@tyrdunbar So is Pornhub...only difference is it doesn't hide behind the guise of a young adult sex crazed melliwdrama sports film directed by a man in his 50's.
@@tyrdunbar Pornhub did it better *and* first might I add. And at least it's offerings don't hide under the guise of a YA sports mellowdrama and it's 50 year old director.
It starts to flatline after that hotel scene (which was genuinely intriguing)…after that the soundtrack felt like it was trying to do cpr lol congrats on 70k 🎉
ugh I loved challengers but I understand the points you made about Lucas movies. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on ‘bones and all’ as I feel like it may have the depth you feel is lacking in his other films.
What did you think of Bones and All?
"she's very protective of the illusion".
I really enjoyed Guadagnino’s updated remake of Suspiria. Bones and All was right in my wheelhouse, and Dayton/Faris’ sports drama Battle of the Sexes (I was 6 when King beat Riggs in his 2nd go-round) was highly entertaining, so I do plan to see Challengers in the future.
What is your favorite movie of all-time?
Sublime review! Subscribed.
It's great to hear really smart, deep, insightful opinions that I totally disagree with. I love Guadagnino and I expect to love this movie, but I will have to think about your perspective when I see it.
Warning, 50+ person review. I would have loved this movie to be about tennis and competition. It would have distracted me from the issues it plays with but completely ignores at the same time. For me it falls in line with so many movies trying to make normal what isn’t and shouldn’t be. You’ve got two extremely effeminate and insecure men (apparently popular these days) being manipulated by a narcissistic, morally absent woman. It flirts with homosexuality but doesn’t commit. It try’s to develop a strong woman character with conviction and morality but sidelines all of that for impulsive sex. I felt that Mrs. Z’s performance was fantastically wasted. The film bothers to highlight her characters wedding ring, the cross around her neck and the fact that she has a daughter but tosses all of that virtue out the window on a whim as she sneaks off, meets with and has sex with both male characters for what you’re supposed to believe is an effort on her part to create competition between the two potentially gay men. In the end I came away with the feeling that these are three very spoiled, self centered and confused people whos motivations in the movie aren’t quite clear. I would have had more respect for this movie if the two male characters were openly gay or just go ahead and have the threesome early on and create the tension without eluding to religion, without the marriage and daughter, and without the infidelity. If this movie was being honest, the next ten minutes of it would have shown the two male characters living as domestic partners raising the daughter in their posh LA mansion and the female character scraping by on what little star fame she had before her injury (she had that coming). It owed me that much for my time 🤷♂️.
I tend to agree with you on Luca Guadagnino‘a films, it’s how I found this channel. When no one I knew agreed with me on CMBYN. I had similar thoughts to yours on this one too. However out of Luca’s films I’ve seen this is the first one that I actually enjoyed despite still feeling superficial.
I think Tashi’s release and elation, reflecting her prior elation when she “destroyed that little bitch” on the tennis court shows that she is a more active member of the trio’s dynamic and a more active character than Luisa in Y Tu Mamá También. She pulls the strings and pushes along the men’s relationship while also being in the midst of it, whereas Luisa in Y Tu Mama También is more of a catalyst to spark that change for the boys because she knows she is not long for the world. It’s a great contrast that I’m glad you pointed out but I don’t feel the difference detracted from their characterization or the impact of the film.
Great review as always!
my favorite movie of the year!
I walked out. I was bored out of my mind
I really really liked this movie! One of my favorite movies this year!
I think you do a great job with your reviews, but we have yet to agree on any movie I’ve seen you review so far 😂
SPIDERMAN 4: SHE FOR THA STREETZ
Great review...🤩🤩🤩!!!
And I also didn't care for the movie 'Call Me By Your Name.' For me, I just couldn't see or really BELIEVE the chemistry between the two leads.
And in this movie, it should've been MORE about the two male leads. Like I was more interested in what was building and culminating between the two of them, than what was going on between the two of them and the female lead.
Overall, this wasn't a bad movie by any stretch, I just feel that it could've been more.
Again, GREAT review...☺️🤩😇.
Saw the trailer at the cinema and was like "You cannot be serious!' Points, if you get that reference 🎾
The first third is so good, the second loses traction and focus and it's back on track in the third part.
I didn't even consider Y Tu Mama Tambien while watching it myself and your consistent recalls to its majesty of a strikingly similar topic make me somehow like this somehow less. I couldn't get from my mind the similarities to Truffaut's Jules and Jim and these films really show just how fallibly weak the relationships set in this movie are.
Great Review. Saw this and was bored out of my mind. Like you said, it never developed the characters in a real, emotionally grounded way. It was all art and flash, which I can get behind, as long as the emotional core is also there. The music also was driving me nuts. It felt like someone made a so-so pasta dish and then slathered in peanut butter and jelly to give it some flavor. I love PBJ but it just does not go with pasta.
Loved Suspiria despite it biting off more than it could chew, but I also feel that Challengers was a bit too “thin” for me. Overstylized and enough meat on the bone in terms of character motivations/development
Best review I've seen of this movie
Pleasantly surprised by this one
Do you have a Letterboxd account?
"The French love your film."
The only movie I've seen by him is breaking the waves (or whatever it's called) and I felt the exact same thing: it started to get really interesting as soon as it ended. So weird. Its like a reverse Polanski
The Lars Von trier movie??
@@rohanbeer1654 no it's the same director as challengers, I haven't seen anything by little larry
I just fell asleep during the review.
don't like Luca's other films, but his style and 'artifice' click here. actually find this film to be outstanding, truly surprised. it feels very unlikable initially, but over time reveals itself to be something special.
Every Luca movie I’ve seen feels like an R rated version of a Disney Channel Orignal Movie lol
Maybe check his Tv series We are Who we are
I loved 'Call me by Your Name' and almost hated his one.
Having been a fan of lucas films, i admit Challengers is his best work.
Review some British old cult films please
Example please?
Yeah, I'd love to see her review Carry On Camping or Holiday On The Buses!
I mostly agree with you. I found the movie boring and irritating most of the time while I was watching it. But I’d admit that I kinda liked it more after some days have passed. I think it’s because there are two decent scenes that are interconnected, one is the threesome scene in the trailers and the other is the ending (though I still don’t quite get Zendaya’s character). The rest of the movie is just a lot of tennis which I find boring no matter how good it is filmed and very unlikeable and incomprehensible behaviour from the characters. I also thing the male actors were a little overacted while Zendaya’s acting is ok but the character is very weird. Sometimes she’s kind of likeable but most of the time she is an awful person. I also don’t quite the whole homoerotic tension, you either go in that direction or not, but this was a little strange.
THANK YOU!!!!!
Cloudy, flighty exactly how I felt. I said surface level.
The end was so cringe. I'm going to watch y'tu Mama tambien this weekend.
Such a Excellent Review. This moving back and forth time was so annoying that I did not care anymore. The best thing was the soundtrack I hated the movie it was frustrating as the characters themselves. I give the movie a D
Truely.... Honestly..... Madly.... Deeply..... How can you like the ending to this movie when it has no ending at all.... For these boys to end up hugging eachother at the end after the sauna scene is utterly ridiculous... And cheap.... I agree with your entire take bar that.... Maybe we should hug forever...
The film was just filled with brand names in every shots… It just felt like watching cinematic advertisements, I know that it’s part of the world of professional athletes but it was kind forced.
I'm definitely mixed on this film. It seems over-directed, which I think you allude to, and I agree that, for a story that's character-driven, the characters are a bit thin. I still don't understand what tore the boys apart. The one scene in the clinic didn't seem like nearly enough. And I honestly rolled my eyes at one point during the storm scene. There's so much that almost works incredibly but is overdone.
For me, the best movie since "zone of interest" perfectly captures and articulates the lines that separate desire, passion and obsession. Stylish and sexy as hell for extra credit. This will probably end up being one of my favorites of the decade.
You have a very attractive mind. Great freaking review!!!
hakuna matata tambien?
I also didn’t like Call Me By Your Name and couldn’t finish it. Challengers was dope, though
Hopefully this will be Zendaya's breakout role.
Hopefully not
Isn't she one of the most popular actresses in the world? Euphoria was her breakout.
I actually really enjoyed Suspiria but his other movies haven't interested me at all
We went 5 of by friend to see it because of the hype, we left at 80% of the movie. I think this comment covers it up very well: "For a movie heavily leaning on its erotic pretensions there is surprisingly little real chemistry between the characters , each of whom is an irredeemable narcissist. The relationships never genuinely evolve or mature from there teenage meeting. Neither the tennis match nor the love triangle have any drama beyond the superficial . The thesis seems to be “Zendaya is attractive so people will watch”. Millions spent on marketing. Contrast this with the outstanding “Past Lives” which sadly will be watched by a fraction of the audience Challengers will attract.
What is your name?
Henry
Hey, I finally got around to watching this. An advertisement boasted it as the sexiest movie ever, and I've been trying to think up a sexier one, but nothing is coming to mind.
This my first Luca Guadagnino film, and for me his most pronounced stylistic nuance was his use of music. In case you haven't noticed, I hate when filmmakers use music to spoon-feed emotion. Whenever a film's soundtrack overwhelms its visuals, my knee jerks. Can't be helped. Here, Guadagnino really leaned into Reznor's techno sizzle whenever the moments got heated. Overbearing music, yes, but anger and competition and passion are overbearing elements of the human condition. It felt so fresh and juicy, spine tingly, and the story always met the sonic flourishes head-on.
You complained about the characters so I will seek to explain how I see them:
Zendaya is a bad woman. It's her way or the highway. What makes her complex is her passion to win. It's a destructive passion, even as it manifests as predatorial power. She's quite capable of destroying herself and others.
Patrick Zweig is his own person. He's one of those happy go lucky people who cares more about pleasure than anything else. He wants Zendaya because she's the hottest woman in the world. He submits to her because he realizes it's the only way she'll allow him to have her. But Patrick, in the end, will always live for Patrick.
Art Donaldson is the character you said you never got a feel for. I would argue he's the most unique. We often hear stories about bad, selfish people because bad, selfish people tend to lead more interesting lives than good, selfless people. I don't know if I would call Art good, but it's undeniable that he's selfless. He's so selfless that he needs a partner to reflect off of. Only then does he begin to take shape. In the beginning this partner is Patrick. Then Art disengages to attach to Zendaya. Look up 'codependence' in the dictionary and who do you think you will see?
There you go: Zendaya loves Patrick and Zendaya. Patrick loves Art and Patrick. Art loves Zendaya and Patrick. A beautiful triangle.
10\10
Elusive is the right word. The marketing for this film has not drawn me in, AT ALL!
I 100% agree with this review. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills with how crazy people are going for this movie. nice looking, great acting... from Zendaya, fun editing and framing. But empty AF. Theres nothing there. The dialogue was so bad it felt like it was dubbed
Challengers was so good!
Was this meant to be julies et jim, triangle?Doesn't sound interesting to me.
Mark Rylance was tne best part of Bones and All
He's very exibitionist. He knows his craft but usually there's no content.