"Love" has no significance in tennis. Love is also unrelated to "Challengers," which employs the sport as a setting to present a complex, non-linear psychological triangle that is intriguing and twisting for the most of the match before botching the finish.
Again, seduction and sex are at the center of this film from director Luca Guadagnino of "Call Me By Your Name."
The framing device is a singles match between Josh O'Connor from "The Crown" and Art (Mike Faist from "West Side Story"), who is a decorated superstar who may be thinking about ending his tournament-winning career.
When they first laid eyes on Tashi (Zendaya), a rising star whose game arouses their libido as much as her beautiful features, they were close friends as junior tennis players, as we learn via flashing back 13 years.
"Challengers" is as much about erasing the boundaries between sex and the allure of professional athletics, with success and victory serving as the ultimate aphrodisiac
Working from a play by playwright Justin Kuritzkes, Guadagnino, after his lovely young cannibals romance "Bones and All,"
"Challengers" may even prove to be a bit of a task for individuals who attend with the intention of making the principals sweat for various reasons, to use the metaphor of the sport.
Although the build-up works well, there's something really disappointing about the payoff—it just feels too precious.
Select Red Wings eliminated from playoff race despite comeback victory against CanadiensRed Wings eliminated from playoff race despite comeback victory against Canadiens