I really couldn’t write about anything other than Challengers this week, because it has occupied approximately 80% of my waking thoughts since Sunday. I knew I would enjoy it because of the subject matter and the director and the brilliant trailer, but I didn’t anticipate that I would walk out of the Ritzy cinema in Brixton and immediately want to watch it again.
Luca Guadagnino is a genius. I am so tired of watching films by directors whose work is technically brilliant but emotionally cold (I’m looking at you, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan et al). Guadagnino manages to make films which are creative and beautiful and new and exciting while still focusing on humanity, warmth, character and emotion.
Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor are the living dream. I would watch either, but preferably both, of them reading the Yellow Pages (a real reference for the youth, there). Their scenes together are dynamite and they are 100% believable as friends and rivals. (NB This is not to ignore Zendaya, she is a real life force in this film.)
The soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is the pulsing heartbeat of the film. Unexpected and exhilarating, it ramps up the tension and is the perfect accompaniment to this gorgeous thrilling and downright fun film.
One more thing: if you haven’t seen Steven Spielberg’s version of West Side Story, starring Mike Faist as Riff, I would highly recommend it. I was dreading it because I love the original so very much but that man Spielberg really pulled it off.
Wow!! What a review. Please keep reviewing films… I love your perspective.