‘Challengers,’ directed by the acclaimed Luca Guadagnino of ‘Call Me by Your Name’ fame and starring Zendaya, is set to premiere in theaters on June 7th (Friday).
Delving into this captivating film, celebrated for its bold electronic score by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross and a standout track sung by Caetano Veloso, music director and critic Yuji Shibasaki provides insights into its significance in Chapter 14 of “Music Makes the Movie.”
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Tennis Players Entangled in a Love Triangle
Luca Guadagnino has consistently delved into the uncontrollable passions of various characters, as seen in ‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2018), depicting a young boy’s passionate summer love, and his previous work ‘Bones and All’ (2023), which centers around cannibalistic youth. With a keen eye for such themes, he has unearthed them with striking visual beauty. In his latest film ‘Challengers,’ Guadagnino continues to explore these themes deeply. However, in terms of sharpness and dynamism, it is perhaps his most accomplished work to date.
The film revolves around a love triangle spanning approximately 13 years between Tashi Duncan, a young tennis prodigy portrayed by Zendaya, and two male players who are infatuated with her: Patrick Zwieg (played by Josh O’Connor) and Art Donaldson (played by Mike Faist).
Patrick and Art have been best friends since they were boys, and although they have opposite personalities, they have a strong bond based on their passion for tennis. One day, the hottest girl in the world appears in front of them. It is Tashi, a young player who is the best in the world of student tennis. The two are instantly attracted to Tashi, and she proposes a bet: whoever wins the next day’s match will get her contact information. The result is that Patrick beats Art, and Patrick and Tashi become lovers.
Tashi has a promising future as a past champion, but tragedy strikes at the match immediately following her catastrophic fight with Patrick. While Art watches the match, she suffers a serious injury that forces her to end her playing career, and although she is devastated, she strongly searches for a new life.
Years later, when Art and she reunite after a long absence, she has retired from the game and has begun her career as a coach. Art, who had long harbored a crush on Tashi, asks her to be his partner.
A few more years later. At first glance, Art and Tashi seem to have a happy family and a very successful tennis career. Patrick, on the other hand, leads a life of debauchery, and his ranking as a player continues to decline. However, a twist of fate brings the three of them together again at a match. Will Patrick be able to take revenge on Art and Tashi? Or will he be able to find out at …….
