Challengers – Budget Unknown – 2 hours and 11 minutes
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Patrick Zweig sleeps in his car because he can’t afford a hotel room. An attendant knocks on the window and tells Patrick the parking lot belongs to a private country club. He asks Patrick to move, but Patrick is a player in the tennis tournament that afternoon. They allow Patrick to sign in early. An employee checks Patrick in and slyly informs Patrick that a big-name star will be a wild card. When Patrick enquires about the person’s name, the employee grabs a branded racket with Art Donaldson’s face across it. Patrick smiles and prepares for the game. Later, Patrick makes it to the final. He stands on the court and looks at his competitor, his ex-best friend Art, while his ex-girlfriend, Tashi Duncan, watches in the stands.
Days earlier, Coach Tashi evaluated Art’s last match. She believes he could have beaten his opponent. If Art wants to make it to Wimbledon, he must qualify by winning a tournament. Tashi suggests they play an Atlanta tournament to forge a path to Wimbledon. Tashi warns Art to bring his A-game or settle for a rich person’s life of parties and fundraisers. Or he can be a tennis champion again. Art reassures his wife, Tashi, that he wants to be number one for them both. Tashi smiles and signs Art into the tournament. When the finals are between her ex-boyfriend, Patrick, and her husband, Art, Tashi sits and reflects on every choice over a decade ago that led them here.
Years ago, Art and Patrick played in doubles and singles. They have been best friends since they were 12 years old. After winning a doubles competition, Art asks Patrick to let him win their singles match because Art’s grandmother will be there. They laugh and watch the women’s singles games. Tashi wows the crowd, and her gameplay captivates them. After her game, they met with Tashi and invited her to talk by the beach. She accepts. She will attend Stanford instead of going pro because she wants to acquire more skills than playing tennis. She knows Art got accepted, too. Patrick invites Tashi to their hotel room and promises beers. To their surprise, Tashi comes, and they flirt with her. They have a three-way make-out session before Tashi heads for the door. They ask for her phone number. Tashi knows they will play against each other in the men’s tournament tomorrow. She tells them she will give the winner her phone number. That game will follow them for the rest of their lives, careers, and friendships. Who is playing who?
This movie has as many moving parts as a tennis match. Viewers must pay attention because the timeline jumps from the present to 14 years ago to the present to 1 day ago to the present. The director chose this to mimic the tennis match at the beginning of the game. Also, the backing track drowns out the dialogue during several scenes, making the script harder to follow. The cinematography decisions are outstanding, but one is dizzying. It makes the audience the ball in the final match. You may close your eyes. The characters are all cunning and unique, but tennis pulls them together. Tashi has one goal in life: to win. And when she gets injured, she adjusts her strategy. Patrick loves to be number one and sees Tashi as a prize. He loves her athleticism and tenacity. However, he doesn’t desire to focus only on tennis like her. Art is a great player, but his insecurity shows. He will do anything for Tashi and waits to let her mold him. However, Tashi can see how lacking confidence ruins his game now. During the movie, each character attempts to manipulate the others to dominate. They blur the lines between the game and life. While this film needs more than one watch to keep up with the timeline, you won’t desire to buy it when it comes out on DVD or Digital.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I don’t matter – Patrick
What were you for – Art
I told you. I’m not a home wrecker – Tashi
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Categories: Challengers, In The Theater, Josh O'Connor, Mike Faist, movie, review, Zendaya
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