Mike Faist as Art, Zendaya as Tashi and Josh O’Connor as Patrick (L-R) in “Challengers,” directed by Luca Guadagino (Photo Credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures).
(“Challengers” trailer courtesy of MGM)
The movie title “Challengers” derives from a tennis tournament that takes place in New Rochelle, N.Y.
Therefore, the title of the movie makes sense.
However, the title “Scandalous” would make perfect sense because the characters are more conniving than the previews let on, making it one of the best love triangle movies in recent years.
In the pantheon of love triangle movies, films like “Mo’ Betta Blues” and “Trois” have often claimed the top prize, especially in the first two thousand years A.D.
But two decades into the 21st century, “Challengers” deserves some respect on its name.
In high school, and even college, friends and classmates often pursue the same love interest and understandably so because the dating pool is not infinite.
However, one can assume that very few friends both succeed in pursuing the same love interest at the same time.
And when the same time is mentioned, the same time and not the same time period is what is meant.
For example, same hotel room, “spitting game” at the same time and getting those digits at the same time.
Romantic relationships between more than two people are probably still frowned upon, even in a society that often prides itself on sexual liberation.
But true liberation is in knowing what one wants and not giving a darn about what society views as acceptable.
And in “Challengers,” teenage tennis prodigy Tashi Donaldson (Zendaya) knows exactly what she wants for her career and what she wants romantically, even if few understand it.
Although Tashi is destined to become one of the greats in tennis and is ready to turn pro, she wants to attend Stanford University first because of the quality education it will provide, much to the chagrin of fellow tennis phenom, Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor).
Like Tashi, Patrick is well-regarded on the amateur tennis circuit, and he cannot wait to turn professional.
On the other hand, Patrick’s best friend Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), another future star, will soon be Tashi’s college teammate with the Stanford Cardinal.
But what about all three becoming teammates in the bedroom?
Although Patrick and Art seem surprised at the possibility, even though they both “shot their shot” at the same time, an 18-year-old Tashi has no problems with ménage trois.
While that possible three-way relationship might seem a little tawdry for some, the relationship between the trio is more complex, layered and conservative than many would assume.
After all, the three are teenagers.
Therefore, it is highly doubtful that any of them are looking to make their threesome something consistent and “exclusive.”
Their real desires and real relationships are with the game of tennis.
That’s the true love of their lives.
And that is what all three of them see themselves doing to make a living as adults.
And as young adults on the verge of greatness in their careers, sometimes careers take precedent over possible relationships and even friendships.
But as the old people would say, if someone is meant to be in one’s life let them go and one day, they will return to you.
However, in the case of Tashi’s love life, what happens when that someone is actually two?
Furthermore, can someone as unconventional as Tashi find satisfaction in just one person, or even the concept of “the one.”
And if Tashi chooses just one in the long run, what will that do to Art and Patrick’s friendship?
Additionally, will their unconventional relationship ruin their chances of success in a sport that is truly conventional, conservative and old school?
The biggest question that should be posed is have Regal readers ever seen a movie trailer that was so dope that the movie could not live up to the hype.
Furthermore, have those same readers ever seen a movie preview and came to an assumption about what direction the filmmaker would take?
The answer is probably yes for many people because Hollywood has become so boring and predictable over the last decade or more.
Thankfully, those thinking “Challengers” will be just as predictable are predicting wrong because the movie is much more profound and well-thought out than the commercials would suggest.
If moviegoers think that all they will get is a little freaky, “deaky,” sneaky to quote Maxine Shaw (Erica Alexander), Attorney-at-Law, from the 1990s sitcom “Living Single,” then they do not know a single thing about “Challengers.”
The movie is much deeper than that.
Yes, it is sensual and sexual.
But it is not just about the sex.
That is not to say that “Challengers” is without its flaws.
“Challengers” has a windy, parking lot make-out scene that looks corny.
Furthermore, the ending is wack and leaves much more to be desired.
Some questions will, unfortunately, go unanswered.
But even someone beautiful has their flaws.
Likewise, a good movie does not mean a perfect movie.
However, perfection is boring anyway and “Challengers” is many things.
But boring is not one of them.
The flashback scenes will take many people down memory lane with music like Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” and watching people text via their Blackberry.
And although “Challengers” is not the typical sports movie, it is the typical good movie.
Sports is more of a backdrop for the movie because “Challengers” is about competition, which is obviously what sports are about.
But “Challengers” shows that the dating game is basically a sport or competition.
And sometimes, the outcome of a sporting even does not make sense.
Likewise, relationships do not always make sense either.
But thankfully, “Challengers” is so dope, it will make a lot of dollars and cents.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
