Court is in session - the tennis court, that is. Luca Guadagnino’s phenomenal tennis movie Challengers is a remarkable, suspenseful study in how to make the most of the romance, sports and drama genres, crafting probably the best movie of 2024 so far.
Guadagnino (bets known for his 2017 Oscar nominated Call Me By Your Name) has is aided by four other artists to make this tennis love story as exciting and engaging as it is: the first is a brilliant script by newcomer Justin Kuritzkes, and the rest are the film’s three dynamic lead actors.
While set in real tournaments and tennis events, the story is complete fiction: the movie centres on the 13-year history and love triangle of three tennis players all about to go pro: Tashi Duncan (Zendaya, last seen in March’s Dune Part Two), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist, of 2021’s West Side Story) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor, The Crown).
Challengers
10 out of 10
14A, 2hrs 11mins. Romance Sports Drama.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino.
Starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor.
Now Playing at Film.Ca Cinemas, Cineplex Winston Churchill & VIP and Cineplex Oakville & VIP.
