Challengers shows Tashi Donaldson (Zendaya), a previous superstar player turned coach of husband post injury, in the midst of a thirteen year love triangle and power struggle between the two male leads, Art and Patrick (Mike Faist and Josh o’Connor).
This movie was CAMP to the max! At times edging into soft core porn, Zendaya shined in her role and brought out the best in her male co-leads.
The first half of the movie was incredible but the second half dragged and revealed several plot holes.
PROs: cinematography of the sports scenes was captivating and made an enjoyable watch, all characters were incredible and watching relationships develop, unfold and twist was the main draw of the movie.
CONS: the constant same club music over all the serious scenes with dialogue took away the watchers ability to interpret the scenes and made the dialogue so hard to hear. The ending was also super ambiguous which is not my personal cup of tea but others may enjoy that.
Overall I felt it wasn’t quite funny enough to be a comedy, not loved up enough to be a romance, didn’t have the heart of a classic Sports movie and dragged a bit too much to be a perfect drama that it set out to be.
Still recommend watching to see Zendaya absolutely shine and to enjoy a will-they-won’t they (professionally and relationally)
About the Movie
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy-turned-coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court.
Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor)—his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win?
Oscar and BAFTA nominee Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name”, “I Am Love”) directs from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. The film is produced by Amy Pascal, Guadagnino, Zendaya and Rachel O’Connor, with Bernard Bellew serving as executive producer.
Golden Globe winner Zendaya (the “Dune” films, “Euphoria”) stars alongside Golden Globe and SAG Award winner and BAFTA nominee Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and BAFTA nominee Mike Faist (“West Side Story”).
Guadagnino’s creative team includes such frequent collaborators as director of photography Sayonbhu Mukdeeprom, production designer Merissa Lombardo and editor Marco Costa, as well as costume designer Jonathan Anderson. The film’s score is by Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“Soul”, “The Social Network”, “Bones and All”).
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents a Why Are You Acting? / Frenesy Films / Pascal Pictures Production, Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers”. The film opens in Australian cinemas 18 April, 2024 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Challengers – in cinemas now
Media Release – Universal
Link to Universal Pictures HERE
TV Central Movie Previews HERE
Rating
Aaron: 7 / 10 “Zendaya is always great, whether a movie is good or bad”
Zak: 6 / 10 “Great movie let down by a slightly confusing ending”
#ChallengersMovie
@WarnerBrosAU
#WBInvited
Challengers
Cinema Experience:
Another great experience at Palace Cinemas in Perth. Good atmosphere, very clean cinema, polite staff.
