CHALLENGERS - Movie Review
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- čas přidán 24. 04. 2024
- Website: www.deepfocuslens.com
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I deeply appreciate how you review movies, based on merit, themes etc. and not succumb to manufactured hype around movies and actors.
"Metaphorically transparent" is a term that needs to be in everyone's lexicon.
Its so funny to me the reasons you dont like lucas style is why i love it haha
Even though I disagree with points on this movie, I thoroughly enjoy your reviews. You know you’re a great critic when your stuff is palatable and entertaining, even if the viewer doesn’t share your opinion.
I’ve been making videos about film for a few months, and I definitely struggle with presenting my cons and dislikes of a film. Always worried that I’ll piss off people who love a film for the same reasons I don’t.
Watching your channel has been a great way to understand how to approach reviews, and to highlight the good and bad aspects of a film in a fair way.
Keep up the great work! 👍
Comparision to Y tu mamá también is a super point
That film is Shakespeare compared to this pos
deepfocuslens a cut above all other CZcams criticism!Lets go!
Because she hasn't sold her soul in exchange for the truth yet!
True, because she legit loves and is interested in movies. Geeking Out with James Hancock is another film review channel I really enjoy.
@@carsonlovescarts What!?
Her, Jeremy Jahns, Nedrotic, Critical Drinker are the ones I trust compared to sell out Stuckmann.
@@dboygamer8184 You might enjoy watching Dan Murrell. He had worked with the Honest Trailers group for a number of years, so he is both funny and insightful.
Nothing but respect for this film reviewer, she actually knows craft and nuance at a much deeper level than others.
I was bowled over by "Bones and All" in terms of Guadagnino showing how versatile he can be. He pushed beyond the Italo-bellisima box wherein a guy like Paolo Sorrentino lives.
I'm a little baffled at the acclaim this is getting. I thought it was okay, but things like the loud music drowning out dialogue and the Snyder-esque overuse of slomo drove me nuts.
IMO, when the music overpowers the conversation, it's because Luca wanted you to feel the emotions of the interactions versus the actual words.
It's just great direction. Though and through.
The selling point for this movie was the promise of a erotica romance. However, what we actually get is weak characterisation. I think a class element may be the problem. They're actions are not motivated by any need to solve a problem, they just exist and are doing stuff. Even being injured only stopped her playing, her quality of life wasn't effected. If someone who is working towards playing in the NBA or NFL gets injured they're quality of life pivots. In some cases instantly, as in the loss of a scholarship. Because there's no need for the characters to work to pay the bills, it makes all the main characters passive in a character driven film. That is a foundation for a weak movie.
Great points. Movies about the petit-bourgeois need strong characters rather than pawns to be moved around a chessboard.
The energy of this movie is incredible. I love Challengers. I get your points but he really is matching the intensity of these characters with his direction.
I’d tell you to check out his previous BONES & ALL, which would give you the Guadanino that you’re looking for.
It''s feeling a bit lonely over here on challengers island -- i enjoyed it quite a bit, think there's more depth than it's getting credit for. it's a little tricky when characters are metaphors but in challengers i thought each of the 3 had enough to them ... the three leads were excellent . Also something that I don't believe you or any of the comments have mentioned is how well done the tennis is. They made it very believable and enjoyable to watch, varying up how they portrayed the sport throughout, keeping it stylish and engaging while also making it seem as if the three leads can really play spare for an occasional shot here and there.
*Paul Schrader said in his positive review of the film that it should've been 20 mins shorter and I have to agree with that
wdym you feel lonely? everyone has been saying this is one of the best movies coming out in recent years
@@Kosiduss yea but i was talking about this review and the comments not in general
@@Kosiduss everyone? you're stuck in a bubble. We went 5 of by friend to see it because of the hype, we left at 80% of the movie. It was WORSE then Mme Webb, never tough I would say that. No idea why people loves those cancers. No wonder it's bombing hard, and will not recup it's low production cost. Hollywood have lost the competency to write story, and film them.
@@Flitalidapouet not a single shred of genuine criticism in this comment. the fact that you went to see it because of the "hype" and not because of the accomplished author behind it says everything about what kind of moviegoer you are though.
@@Kosiduss Thank you for the compliment, I would really hate to be in a "niche" minuscule group that loves the author. I prefer to be stuck with the majority who loves quality movies. As long as you don't care the movie no making money. All is fine.
I stand completely opposed on the characterization of Arte and Patrick, I thought they were well developed male archetypes that admire each other's talent to an extent before their lives completely move apart.
I am not certain that I agee with the comment about Zendaya being "groomed for show business from a very young age". She got her first TV acting gig when she was 13. Both Zendaya's parents were school teachers in Oakland Ca. In interviews with her mother, it appears that Zendaya was less groomed to be an actor and more that she was determined to be one and they just supported her. Her mother had gotten a second job with a local theater group and Zendaya insisted on going to work with her and getting involved in the productions. Her father, who had five other children from a previous marriage, went with her down to LA when she was 12 or 13. Until then, she had lived in Oakland. (I remembered Zendaya from the Disney TV shows my Daughter watched as a child and Spiderman, so I clicked on one Jimmy Kimmel CZcams video with her. The Algorithm has since inundated me with Zendaya content. )
Yea the zendaya part made no sense to me says she doesn't share much of her life (not sure why that matters) but then says only plays role that's just like her personality???
Just watched the film today. I wish I could explain what criticisms I had as concisely and accurately as you did. :)
It was smart to bring up Y tu mama tambien. I watched Kermode's review and all he could think to do was compare this to other tennis movies, and of course pull his punches. That being said, he didn't make the mistake Maggie does of saying Challengers could have been a "home run". No dear, use a tennis expression. A love game. A straight sets victory. A romp.
Love your channel. Can you please review The Royal Tenenbaums?
Love the Y Tu Mama Tambien comparison! Havent thought of that one in years
For a movie heavily leaning on its erotic pretensions there is surprisingly little real chemistry between the characters , each of whom is an irredeemable narcissist. The relationships never genuinely evolve or mature from there teenage meeting. Neither the tennis match nor the love triangle have any drama beyond the superficial . The thesis seems to be “Zendaya is attractive so people will watch”. Millions spent on marketing. Contrast this with the outstanding “Past Lives” which sadly will be watched by a fraction of the audience Challengers will attract.
I literally just came back from the theater and this is the first thing I see
Do you co-sign on this review?
@@waynedexter No, I thought it was really good. I enjoyed it throughout. Planning on watching it again soon.
We went 5 of by friend to see it because of the hype, we left at 80% of the movie. It was WORSE then Mme Webb, never tough I would say that. No idea why people loves those cancers. No wonder it's bombing hard, and will not recup it's low production cost. Hollywood have lost the competency to write story, and film them.
@@Flitalidapouet Funny. You guys left just before the best part of the movie, arguably. I enjoyed the movie even though in the beginning I was a little wary. But by the second act I was all in. The audience I watched the movie with were REALLY animated. In a good way. Which enhanced the experience for me. I think folks’ expectations will ultimately decide whether they’ll like this film. All the hype this movie is getting is raising the bar a smidge too high for it to meet imo.
@@Flitalidapouet Do you think it’s possible to like a movie that doesn’t have likable characters? Even though I would beg to differ that this is that movie
I would absolutely love to see you review a couple of oldschool Aussie classics that starred some Aussie A list actors before they were world famous & both films responsible for launching the Hollywood careers of these actors.
- *Chopper* starring Eric Bana, based on true story of Australian criminal underworld hitman Mark 'Chopper' Read. Bana should of got an Oscar for this film. He nailed it playing Chopper & it's said to be Brad Pitts favorite movie which led him to insisting Eric Bana be cast in TROY.
&
- *Two Hands* starring Heath Ledger & Rose Byrne... a fictional story based on a nieve young man trying to make a name for himself in Sydney's notorius criminal underworld of Kings Cross. I'd argue this is Ledgers best movie. A real hidden gem.
Would be amazing to hear your thoughts on these two Australian masterpieces of cinema from the 90s.
Good review I totally agree about the time jumping.
This amazing Lady drops intelligent deep (focus!) movie reviews like none other everytime 🎬👏🏻💯
Yeah there's no one on YT providing pure film critique as intellectually as she does.
Dope music, that’s about it.
and cool tennis ball pov.
@@lowelldulin5853 its out of place and desperate
FYI you have 69.9K subscribers. Nice.
when it comes to Guadagnino, I have only enjoyed I Am Love. Maybe it was the simplicity of the story and its emotional exuberance, though now I am a little scared to see it again. I really looked forward to Call Me by Your Name and Suspiria but was thoroughly disappointed by both. The trailer for Challengers left me cold
i just wrote the same thing. i am love is his best film ( only one i really liked)
i think i sono amore is his strongest film, because of the coldness of the characters. but besides that i totally agree with you.
Great video! Would love to hear your opinion on Arthur The King
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who struggles with his films, they are all very soapy and sexualized in nature as well. I'll stick with mid-day mellowdrama television sitcoms!
Isnt that the point tho of this film and call me by your name in particular. Hes really good at capturing intimate moments
@@tyrdunbar So is Pornhub...only difference is it doesn't hide behind the guise of a young adult sex crazed melliwdrama sports film directed by a man in his 50's.
@@tyrdunbar Pornhub did it better *and* first might I add. And at least it's offerings don't hide under the guise of a YA sports mellowdrama and it's 50 year old director.
I think you do a great job with your reviews, but we have yet to agree on any movie I’ve seen you review so far 😂
You’re consistently my favourite film critic, I’m always interested to hear what you think
Very interesting review. Totally different of how I felt. I understood all three of them perfectly. Their emotions made total sense to me. I could understand their decisions and what let to them and I rarely have that feeling in movies. All three characters together are me!
Warning, 50+ person review. I would have loved this movie to be about tennis and competition. It would have distracted me from the issues it plays with but completely ignores at the same time. For me it falls in line with so many movies trying to make normal what isn’t and shouldn’t be. You’ve got two extremely effeminate and insecure men (apparently popular these days) being manipulated by a narcissistic, morally absent woman. It flirts with homosexuality but doesn’t commit. It try’s to develop a strong woman character with conviction and morality but sidelines all of that for impulsive sex. I felt that Mrs. Z’s performance was fantastically wasted. The film bothers to highlight her characters wedding ring, the cross around her neck and the fact that she has a daughter but tosses all of that virtue out the window on a whim as she sneaks off, meets with and has sex with both male characters for what you’re supposed to believe is an effort on her part to create competition between the two potentially gay men. In the end I came away with the feeling that these are three very spoiled, self centered and confused people whos motivations in the movie aren’t quite clear. I would have had more respect for this movie if the two male characters were openly gay or just go ahead and have the threesome early on and create the tension without eluding to religion, without the marriage and daughter, and without the infidelity. If this movie was being honest, the next ten minutes of it would have shown the two male characters living as domestic partners raising the daughter in their posh LA mansion and the female character scraping by on what little star fame she had before her injury (she had that coming). It owed me that much for my time 🤷♂️.
most definitely the best movie review channel on the whole interweb. Kermode and Mayo, are you watching?
For me, the best movie since "zone of interest" perfectly captures and articulates the lines that separate desire, passion and obsession. Stylish and sexy as hell for extra credit. This will probably end up being one of my favorites of the decade.
I'm anxiously waiting for her to review Abigail. It seems like the perfect Deepfocuslens film
It starts to flatline after that hotel scene (which was genuinely intriguing)…after that the soundtrack felt like it was trying to do cpr lol congrats on 70k 🎉
this is the only review that's doing it for me on this one
"she's very protective of the illusion".
What are your thoughts of the 3 films directed by S. Craig Zahler? I love his style personally. Can’t wait for his next. Cheers!
I came out of this movie like I wonder what Maggie thought 😂
I loved it but I agree with some of what you say. I’m a big Luca fan I’m curious what you thought of I Am Love and A Bigger Splash?
My summary of the movie; Nike, Coca-Cola, Head, Gatorade, Aston-Martin, Uniqlo, Apple, Adidas...Anything I missed?
I’m was gonna watch it this past weekend but decided just wait till it comes in streaming for what I heard from the reviews
I kind of liked the movie. but I really hated the final scene 🤣 Also, I found the movie very much not sensual
Agreed. Too stylized and the reznor/ross score was too dancy to allow us in to the would be sensual moments
@@harryschiller5368 I love reznor and Ross, but lately they seem to give away their scrap material. Look at ‘Bird box’. And this score as well seems a pastiche of their old stuff.
During this movie, when the audience laughed, I wondered ‘am I dead inside’ or are these people around me dumb or both
I really enjoyed Guadagnino’s updated remake of Suspiria. Bones and All was right in my wheelhouse, and Dayton/Faris’ sports drama Battle of the Sexes (I was 6 when King beat Riggs in his 2nd go-round) was highly entertaining, so I do plan to see Challengers in the future.
It's great to hear really smart, deep, insightful opinions that I totally disagree with. I love Guadagnino and I expect to love this movie, but I will have to think about your perspective when I see it.
Have you ever reviewed Smoke Signals?
The first third is so good, the second loses traction and focus and it's back on track in the third part.
Truely.... Honestly..... Madly.... Deeply..... How can you like the ending to this movie when it has no ending at all.... For these boys to end up hugging eachother at the end after the sauna scene is utterly ridiculous... And cheap.... I agree with your entire take bar that.... Maybe we should hug forever...
my favorite movie of the year!
I tend to agree with you on Luca Guadagnino‘a films, it’s how I found this channel. When no one I knew agreed with me on CMBYN. I had similar thoughts to yours on this one too. However out of Luca’s films I’ve seen this is the first one that I actually enjoyed despite still feeling superficial.
Great review...🤩🤩🤩!!!
And I also didn't care for the movie 'Call Me By Your Name.' For me, I just couldn't see or really BELIEVE the chemistry between the two leads.
And in this movie, it should've been MORE about the two male leads. Like I was more interested in what was building and culminating between the two of them, than what was going on between the two of them and the female lead.
Overall, this wasn't a bad movie by any stretch, I just feel that it could've been more.
Again, GREAT review...☺️🤩😇.
Hey, I finally got around to watching this. An advertisement boasted it as the sexiest movie ever, and I've been trying to think up a sexier one, but nothing is coming to mind.
This my first Luca Guadagnino film, and for me his most pronounced stylistic nuance was his use of music. In case you haven't noticed, I hate when filmmakers use music to spoon-feed emotion. Whenever a film's soundtrack overwhelms its visuals, my knee jerks. Can't be helped. Here, Guadagnino really leaned into Reznor's techno sizzle whenever the moments got heated. Overbearing music, yes, but anger and competition and passion are overbearing elements of the human condition. It felt so fresh and juicy, spine tingly, and the story always met the sonic flourishes head-on.
You complained about the characters so I will seek to explain how I see them:
Zendaya is a bad woman. It's her way or the highway. What makes her complex is her passion to win. It's a destructive passion, even as it manifests as predatorial power. She's quite capable of destroying herself and others.
Patrick Zweig is his own person. He's one of those happy go lucky people who cares more about pleasure than anything else. He wants Zendaya because she's the hottest woman in the world. He submits to her because he realizes it's the only way she'll allow him to have her. But Patrick, in the end, will always live for Patrick.
Art Donaldson is the character you said you never got a feel for. I would argue he's the most unique. We often hear stories about bad, selfish people because bad, selfish people tend to lead more interesting lives than good, selfless people. I don't know if I would call Art good, but it's undeniable that he's selfless. He's so selfless that he needs a partner to reflect off of. Only then does he begin to take shape. In the beginning this partner is Patrick. Then Art disengages to attach to Zendaya. Look up 'codependence' in the dictionary and who do you think you will see?
There you go: Zendaya loves Patrick and Zendaya. Patrick loves Art and Patrick. Art loves Zendaya and Patrick. A beautiful triangle.
10\10
I'm definitely mixed on this film. It seems over-directed, which I think you allude to, and I agree that, for a story that's character-driven, the characters are a bit thin. I still don't understand what tore the boys apart. The one scene in the clinic didn't seem like nearly enough. And I honestly rolled my eyes at one point during the storm scene. There's so much that almost works incredibly but is overdone.
ugh I loved challengers but I understand the points you made about Lucas movies. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on ‘bones and all’ as I feel like it may have the depth you feel is lacking in his other films.
I really really liked this movie! One of my favorite movies this year!
Crazy take. 100% go see it in the theater !! In XD or IMAX if possible but dumb Fall Guy bumped it.
What did you think of Bones and All?
I see Very i still strongly in use today.... Word 🤣🤣🤣 🕊️
0:16
Very Very Very and it's first appearance, thanks Marianne......now when I listen to her neo speak criticism I always relish and await the very........she cuts her video's as to remove the "very", I love the struggle and her endeavor to use high vocabulary, only to be usurped by the unapologetic and dim witted "very" that crawls out of her brain "like she says" .....always bizarre neurotic behavior far more interesting to listen to this word soup, rather than what ever it relates to this movie or that film......ode to hearing her gargle on "very".....smoke and mirrors and blind tongue numb coup.....
Cheese! 🕊️@@MarianneCarnell
@@stable-shadow Are you trying to say that she's dumb? She clearly isn't. She's one of the most insightful CZcamsrs you're likely to encounter.
@@Sharvalgon Hey, you are her I assume? Sewer Rat may taste like Pumpkin Pie, but I wouldn't know because I wouldn't eat the filthy mother Effer...... Dumb..... Yes, highly probably, like a rock only dumber'er........ Insight? Insight into what using language badly and in overly dogmatic ways...... I unsubscribed a year ago, and planned coming back a year later to see if I was wrong, nope.... same same and the frightening "very"....... The whole review and critique is extremely off and wrong, but it's so wrong it's right....... Many analogies, but simply not worth my e thought, by the way who cares what I say, I just speak the truth, from my point of view..... It's all Copper nothing really matters...... 🕊️
Thank you for your insight and vast knowledge of enlightenment on the subject and general blushing vernacular, that usurps my melted mind ideals......intimate, idealistic, and wanting.....as if the Sun dances extra special thre the filtered blinds on my French doors...Yep, and OK! 🕊️ @@Sharvalgon
I 100% agree with this review. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills with how crazy people are going for this movie. nice looking, great acting... from Zendaya, fun editing and framing. But empty AF. Theres nothing there. The dialogue was so bad it felt like it was dubbed
Best review I've seen of this movie
Review some British old cult films please
Example please?
Yeah, I'd love to see her review Carry On Camping or Holiday On The Buses!
Saw the trailer at the cinema and was like "You cannot be serious!' Points, if you get that reference 🎾
Great Review. Saw this and was bored out of my mind. Like you said, it never developed the characters in a real, emotionally grounded way. It was all art and flash, which I can get behind, as long as the emotional core is also there. The music also was driving me nuts. It felt like someone made a so-so pasta dish and then slathered in peanut butter and jelly to give it some flavor. I love PBJ but it just does not go with pasta.
THANK YOU!!!!!
Cloudy, flighty exactly how I felt. I said surface level.
The end was so cringe. I'm going to watch y'tu Mama tambien this weekend.
I didn't even consider Y Tu Mama Tambien while watching it myself and your consistent recalls to its majesty of a strikingly similar topic make me somehow like this somehow less. I couldn't get from my mind the similarities to Truffaut's Jules and Jim and these films really show just how fallibly weak the relationships set in this movie are.
Maybe check his Tv series We are Who we are
I also didn’t like Call Me By Your Name and couldn’t finish it. Challengers was dope, though
"The French love your film."
I agree, Zendaya does remind of Beyonce. Ironically, they're both Virgos lol. But surprisingly I loved this movie. I do agree that Luca leans more into aesthetic rather than depth in his storytelling tho, but it actually worked for me in this.
What is your favorite movie of all-time?
I loved 'Call me by Your Name' and almost hated his one.
I actually really enjoyed Suspiria but his other movies haven't interested me at all
The only movie I've seen by him is breaking the waves (or whatever it's called) and I felt the exact same thing: it started to get really interesting as soon as it ended. So weird. Its like a reverse Polanski
The Lars Von trier movie??
@@rohanbeer1654 no it's the same director as challengers, I haven't seen anything by little larry
hakuna matata tambien?
Every Luca movie I’ve seen feels like an R rated version of a Disney Channel Orignal Movie lol
Spot on review. I found it overrated. Lots of style, but the film is about emotions and relationships - and I found that part sorely lacking and soulless. 7.5/10 overall for me
confusing score, do you just hate life ?
Pleasantly surprised by this one
Hopefully this will be Zendaya's breakout role.
Hopefully not
Isn't she one of the most popular actresses in the world? Euphoria was her breakout.
I admire Luca and his movies, except for Suspiria.
Challengers was so good!
Elusive is the right word. The marketing for this film has not drawn me in, AT ALL!
Do you have a Letterboxd account?
He's very exibitionist. He knows his craft but usually there's no content.
Best review. I hated the soundtrack and didn't think it helped a poor film.
You have a very attractive mind. Great freaking review!!!
Seen Bones and All?
Mark Rylance was tne best part of Bones and All
I agree with you this movie was artsy and bland characters :) woof woof!
The substance of the characters are there: it's in the behavioral cues, how they interact, how they look at each other, what sitting or standing positions they're in. It's not at all abstract to use tennis as a metaphor. Substance shouldn't be just the dialogue, or embodied in the plot, or fully-formed characters. It's a psychology movie, like dressed to kill: the behaviors, their emotions and how we instinctively respond to them, that are the point.
And it's not exactly about sexuality... in fact Guadagnino said so himself. It's others projecting really. There is sexual energy, but it's much more. It's the politics. It's the power play, three tops trying to top the other, and too afraid to let down their guard that even they are no longer like their earlier selves (and the ending reverses that). It's not some deep study of humanity. It's a fairly simple concept on human relationships, executed with style. You were just expecting something different.
Also, shouldn't your criticisms about the lack of a human core be directed against the writer instead?
fantastic analysis
I walked out. I was bored out of my mind
I just fell asleep during the review.
Flip your camera dude
Flip your phone dude
Did the last 10 seconds bother anyone else?
Was this meant to be julies et jim, triangle?Doesn't sound interesting to me.
Challengers I didn't really like, characters I have no interest in and narcissistic and hollow, the soundtrack was very annoying.
I thought it was fantastic 🤷🏻♂️
We went 5 of by friend to see it because of the hype, we left at 80% of the movie. I think this comment covers it up very well: "For a movie heavily leaning on its erotic pretensions there is surprisingly little real chemistry between the characters , each of whom is an irredeemable narcissist. The relationships never genuinely evolve or mature from there teenage meeting. Neither the tennis match nor the love triangle have any drama beyond the superficial . The thesis seems to be “Zendaya is attractive so people will watch”. Millions spent on marketing. Contrast this with the outstanding “Past Lives” which sadly will be watched by a fraction of the audience Challengers will attract.
I didn't like the film this movie is just not my cup of tea of a movie. I honestly expected 50 shades of Grey/365 days with Tennis. I'm just someone that struggles with drama and pure drama isn't really my genre in film.