As we hit the half-year point, it’s clear “Dune, Part Two,” “Hit Man” and “Civil War” are among the best films about 2024.
But what about “Challengers,” that steamy look at tennis? It deserves a second serve.
Instead of focusing on coaching, all-important tournaments and endorsem*nt deals, it looks at the relationships between players.
Key to the story: a friendship that began when two were doubles partners and roommates.
Arthur (Mike Faist) is the more dedicated one; Patrick (Josh O’Connor) is the rebel. Both, however, have their eyes on Tashi (Zendaya), a top female player who seems like the perfect partner for two singles.
The two express interest; she teases both and, yes, because this is a Luca Guadagnino film, there is some sexual tension between the men. One succeeds with Tashi, the other battles to stay afloat.
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The time shifts (from past to present to past) happen so frequently it’s like watching a real match.
When we finally figure things out, Patrick is scrambling to get in a Challengers match to prove his worth; Arthur (who has six Grand Slam trophies) wants to use it as a brush-up for the U.S. Open, the one tournament he hasn’t won.
As far-fetched as it may seem, the two meet in the finals and, there, we see those adolescent fears and dreams play out.
“Challengers” has so much swagger it’s funny someone isn’t called out. Both actors, however, are good at playing the age range Guadagnino requires. Zendaya, meanwhile, owns everything. Even though her playing days are over, she’s calling the shots, getting both men to do what she wants.
What doesn’t quite square is the separation. If Art and Patrick had been best buds for years, why would they be so clueless about each other a decade later? Similarly, why didn’t they stay in touch?
Court play is fascinating, but it can’t keep up with the hotel hopping that fills much of the scorecard. There’s a threesome early on, but it’s not as steamy as you might think. That’s saved for the “13 years later” scenes that manage to involve O’Connor with his friends.
What isn’t explained is the director’s fascination with the players’ feet. They’re barefoot, routinely, and no one seems to complain of aches, pains or sores.
Zendaya plays much of her contemporary moments like Faye Dunaway in “Network.” She’s on top; the others are just listening. She also seems fairly focused on her one player. Considering she’s trying to help him win, you’d think she’d have intel on all the competitors. Instead, Patrick’s appearance is a shock to her, too.
While “Challengers” doesn’t go too deep (into tennis, the relationships or the surrounding world), it does give the sport a gloss it rarely enjoys. None of the action takes place on Center Court in one of the Grand Slams but it has the sheen of something rich and exclusive.
Like Joel Schumacher years ago, Guadagnino concentrates on visuals and comes away with a film that’s not just interesting, it’s highly attractive.
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "Abigail"
Movies in a Minute: "Civil War"
Movies in a Minute: "Monkey Man"
Movies in a Minute: "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"
Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil"
Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack"
Movies in a Minute: "Cabrini"
Movies in a Minute "Dune: Part Two"
Movies in a Minute: "Drive-Away Dolls"
Movies in a Minute "Bob Marley: One Love"
Movies in a Minute: "Lisa Frankenstein”
Movies in a Minute: “The Greatest Night in Pop”
Movies in a Minute: "Poor Things"
Movies in a Minute: Best Actress nominee Sandra Huller
Movies in a Minute: "Mean Girls"
Movies in a Minute: "Anyone But You"
Movies in a Minute: "The Color Purple"
Movies in a Minute: "The Iron Claw"
Movies in a Minute: "Wonka"
Movies in a Minute: "May December"
Movies in a Minute: "Wish"
Movies in a Minute: "Next Goal Wins"
Movies in a Minute: "The Marvels"
Movies in a Minute: "The Holdovers"
Movies in a Minute: "Five Nights at Freddy's"
Movies in a Minute "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour"
Movies in a Minute: "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Movies in a Minute: "The Exorcist: Believer"
Movies in a Minute: "Fair Play"
Movies in a Minute: "Expend4bles"
Movies in a Minute: "A Haunting in Venice"
Movies in a Minute: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3"
Movies in a Minute: "The Equalizer 3"
Movies in a Minute: "Blue Beetle"
Movies in a Minute: "Gran Turismo"
Movies in a Minute: Mid-year wrap-up
Movies in a Minute: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem"
Fans in Mumbai celebrate new Rajinikanth movie
Movies in a Minute: "Haunted Mansion"
Movies in a Minute: "Barbie"
Movies in a Minute: “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
Movies in a Minute: “Joy Ride”
Movies in a Minute: “Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny”
Movies in a Minute: “No Hard Feelings”
Movies in a Minute: "Elemental"
Movies in a Minute: “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”
Movies in a Minute: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Movies in a Minute: "The Little Mermaid"
Movies in a Minute: “Fast X”
Movies in a Minute: "Book Club: The Next Chapter"
Movies in a Minute: “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3”
Movies in a Minute: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."
Movies in a Minute: "The Covenant"
Movies in a Minute: "Renfield"
Movies in a Minute: "Air"
Movies in a Minute: "Dungeons and Dragons"
Movies in a Minute: "John Wick Chapter 4"
Movies in a Minute: “Champions”
Movies in a Minute: “Creed III”
Movies in a Minute: “80 for Brady”
Movies in a Minute: "Challengers"
Movies in a Minute: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"
Movies in a Minute: "The Fall Guy"
Movies in a Minute: "The Blue Angels"
Movies in a Minute: "Summer Camp"
Movies in a Minute: "Jim Henson Idea Man”
Movies in a Minute "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"
Movies in a Minute: "Inside Out 2"
Movies in a Minute: "Thelma"
Bruce Miller is editor of the Sioux City Journal.
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