“Challengers”: A Riveting Exploration of Passion, Competition, and Toxicity on the Tennis Court
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Rating: 7/10
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” is a compelling exploration of passion, competition, and toxic relationships, all set against the backdrop of professional tennis matches. Starring Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy player turned coach, who is married to Art (Mike Faist). This well-renowned tennis champion is currently on a losing streak. The story takes its turn when Art must face off against his former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend, Patrick (Josh O’Connor), in a match that’s either a redemption or a retirement to the characters. As their pasts and presents collide, the film poses a crucial question to these characters: what will it cost to win?
Luca Guadagnino is known for his directing style of taking conventional materials and transforming them through his unique style and approach. With his previous works as a prime example of his talent as a visionary, movies like “Call Me By Your Name,” “Suspiria,” and now “Challengers” follows the same unique approach to a rather familiar and ordinary story. While the central plot is a love triangle, which seems to be very familiar to viewers, Luca’s treatment of it through the lens of a tennis match is anything but ordinary. The tennis matches are shot with such innovation that allowed the movie to be more engaging and avoid becoming monotonous, with long takes, point-of-view shots from the perspective of the ball or the player, and an intentionally aggressive soundtrack contributed to an intense and sensual atmosphere that keeps the viewers engaged and on the edge. These elements are very clever and unique for a film about tennis.
The performances in this movie are nothing but phenomenal. Zendaya played her character, Tashi Duncan, as a woman so consumed by her passion for tennis and championships that it overrides all other aspects of her life such as being a wife and a mother is both riveting and ruthless. Her obsession with Tennis became the central theme of the movie: what will happen if a relationship is built around a career? This question resonates throughout the movie, particularly as we see Tashi’s unwavering focus on tennis affect her marriage and her relationship with the people around her, especially Art and Patrick. Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor also deliver a phenomenal performance, establishing their characters to be so obsessed with Tashi, that their attractiveness to her is derived from their willingness to be near her greatness or to be a great player like Tashi.
The three main characters, Tashi, Art, and Patrick, are all deeply flawed individuals whose toxic traits are laid bare, and the film thrives on these complex characterizations. This approach might lead audiences and critics to find these characters to be off-putting or negative, but their toxic behaviors are a reflection of a real-life narcissistic relationship. Luca’s storytelling shines through its ability to blend the elements of romance, dark comedy, and tension, channeling these emotions through the metaphorical and literal battles on the tennis court. The characters’ narcissism and intense passion for the sport serve as a canvas for exploring the themes of love, rivalry, and ambition.
MGM
One of the film’s standout aspects is Guadagnino’s clever use of tennis, not just as a backdrop but as a vehicle for storytelling. This allows for the movie to convey the characters’ emotions, conflicts, and transformations through tennis matches, with each match imbued with psychological and emotional weight. Luca’s commitment to this unconventional method of storytelling is plausible, making these tennis scenes integral to the narrative rather than mere filler. This also allows the audiences to experience the physical exhaustion of the tennis matches even without having much knowledge about the sport.
However, just like all of the movies, “Challengers” is not without its flaws. One of the most significant issues is the screenplay’s handling of Zendaya’s character’s daughter. The daughter seems to be included solely to create additional tension for the characters involved, with a role that is underdeveloped and feels like an unnecessary addition to the movie. This subplot does not integrate well with the main story, and it draws the film from the otherwise tight focus on the main characters. With limited screen time and lack of depth of the daughter’s character, makes it feel more like a plot device than a fully realized and intentional character, which can be frustrating for viewers seeking a cohesive narrative.
Another aspect that might be challenging for some viewers is the use of timeline sequences. The movie’s narrative frequently shifts between past and present, and while this technique adds depth to the story, it can also be disorienting, especially for viewers who lack attention to detail. While I appreciate the timeline sequences for the general audience, it can be very confusing, considering that the characters’ physical appearances did not change significantly between timelines, save for minor details like hair, which can make it difficult to distinguish between past and present. This approach will require attentive viewers and might not resonate with the general audience. On the bright side, for those who engage with the film on a deeper level, the timeline sequences enrich the narrative, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the characters’ evolving dynamics and complex characterization.
Throughout the movie, viewers’ sympathies and biases shift as the movie progresses. In the beginning, you root for Art, then to Tashi, and finally to Patrick, only to be left with a sense of apathy for all of them by the end of the movie. This journey is a testament to the effectiveness of the timeline sequences and Luca’s storytelling. The shifts in perspective force viewers to reassess their judgments of each character, and this allows for an engaging experience.
The aggressive soundtrack also plays a crucial role in heightening the tension of the movie, and while it can be very jarring most of the time, it’s effective as it underscores the emotional stakes of the tennis matches and the characters’ heated interactions, contributing to the overall intensity of the film. While some might find the soundtrack discordant, it ultimately serves the narrative by amplifying the sense of unease and conflict. The music choices, often abrasive and unsettling, mirror the internal turmoil of the characters and the high-pressure environment of the tennis matches.
Despite its flaws, “Challengers” remains a captivating film that showcases Luca Guadagnino's talent for transforming conventional stories through his unique artistic lens. The film's innovative approach to depicting tennis, its complex characterizations, and its exploration of passion and competition make it a standout piece of cinema. Guadagnino's direction ensures that the tennis scenes are not just about the sport but are integral to the character's development and the story's progression. The intense focus on tennis as both a literal and metaphorical battleground allows for a rich exploration of the characters' psyches and their relationships.
In conclusion, “Challengers” is more than just a sports drama or a love triangle; it is a multifaceted narrative that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the price of ambition. The film's unconventional storytelling, combined with stellar performances from Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor, creates a gripping and emotionally charged experience. Despite some narrative missteps, particularly regarding the underdeveloped subplot involving Tashi's daughter, jarring and aggressive soundtrack, and the occasionally confusing timeline shifts, “Challengers” remains a thought-provoking and visually stunning film. It challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of competition, love, and the lengths to which people will go to achieve their desires.
