Film review: Challengers (18) - seen at The Light Cinema, Wisbech
Starring: Josh O'Connor, Mike Faist and Zendaya
Director: Luca Guadagnino Run time: Two hours, 12 minutes
It is perhaps rare to say this nowadays but the trailer for Challengers - a film revolving around tennis and a love triangle - did not do it justice.
The blockbuster tells the fictional story of former tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan who turns coach for her husband Art Donaldson after an injury forces her to retire early.
Art is on a losing streak which Tashi is hoping to help him overturn when he faces off against his former best friend and Tashi’s ex, the now washed-up Patrick Zweig, who is living out of his car.
Zendaya (of Spider-Man, The Greatest Showman and Euphoria fame) stars as the cold but laser-focused Tashi, Mike Faist (who you might recognise from West Side Story) as the besotted Art and Josh O’Connor (who played a young Prince Charles in The Crown) as a conniving Patrick. The three leads ooze chemistry as they navigate their worlds of teenage hormones and, later, intense rivalry.
Zendaya in particular is commanding, captivating and is every bit the star of the show.
Director Luca Guadagnino creates an intense atmosphere throughout much of the 132 minutes of action - reflecting the fast-paced nature of the sport.
The story is told in a non-linear timeline, as it flits between the showdown between Art and Patrick and earlier scenes which reveal why this match is such a critical one to all those involved.
It’s also supported by a fantastic original score composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross which only helps to build the suspense, in particular during those intense rallies.
Having seen the trailer beforehand, I had anticipated an average romantic drama, albeit with three brilliant actors, but it was so much more than that.
Rating: 8/10
