REVIEW: CHALLENGERS

3.5/5

Risque Business.

131 Mins. Starring: Zendaya, Josh O'Connor & Mike Faist. Screenplay: Justin Kuritzkes. Director: Luca Guadagnino. In: Theatres.

New balls please. The euphoria of a steamy, sweaty and sexy scene, that going viral, could even make Spider-Man blush, is matched by the tension on-court. The competitive juices of these 'Challengers' give you a satisfying climax in a three-way love triangle of toxicity that is so much more than a deuce. Let this nonlinear narrative be your cinematic service, this week in Japan, like the liberated 'Drive-Away Dolls' on the road. All as the Zendaya starred and produced 'Challengers', directed by the legendary Luca Guadagino ('Call Me By Your Name', 'Bones and All'), looks to do for the clay and grass courts, what 'The Last Dance' documentary and all the other basketball movies that tipped-off afterward have done for the hardwood. Speaking of which, even the holy tennis trinity of 'Wimbledon', 'Borg Vs. McEnroe' and the 'Battle Of The Sexes' couldn't compare to the lust for life and love of this big-three.

Hey, young world, do you remember what it was like when making the next shot and shooting yours was all that mattered? The anger and the angst and the love and the hate make this melodrama one of epic emotional stakes that's more than just the sport these three obsess over, just as much as they do each other...even if they'd be the last ones to admit it. There are only more racquets broken than hearts, as even John McEnroe himself would say this one goes over the line. The three in question, talking smack to each other, and complaining to a bewildered ref, Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist. Watch them, as your head goes back-and-forth between the shots they play.

That's all you need in this picture that keeps it in-between the lines, for some terrific tennis takes, first-person shooting and a worm's eye view for all you Instagrammers and influencers that like to talk about a POV. Scored by the Nine-Inch Nails of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who changed the game and their own one ever since they were gone, girl, the band reunites for the classic closing credits compelling chart-ready hit 'Compress/Repress'. Directed all perfectly by Guadagino with a slick poets eye for the substance of young love hiding behind the generations of sleazy swiping, hiding what really lies behind bruised egos and black and bloody hearts.

Zendaya is still the star of the moment, from the 'Spider-Man' series to HBO's 'Euphoria', and now she owns another game like MJ. Coaching and holding all the puppet strings, with one hell of a backhand, as she doesn't mince words or manipulated intentions. To say tennis serves her is the half-volley underplayed, underhanded shot of the year. No one has manifested the lights, camera and action on-court like her since Will Smith's Oscar winning 'King Richard'. Keeping hold of these bad boys who used to be ride or die (whatcha gonna do?). Forgot about the grass stains, young stud Josh O'Connor wants 'The Crown' and like his young Prince Charles portrayal on Netflix, he'll do anything to lift the jug-eared trophy. 

His signature serve looks like a king wielding a sword, too, ready to strike. Sleeping in his car instead of the one whose number he won, he's got nothing to lose, but everything to prove...to himself. Meanwhile, the sensitive soul of Mike Faist ('West Side Story's' Riff and Jack Twist in the West End version of 'Brokeback Mountain') will elicit your empathy, but are his intentions well, or just as cruel? With a line toeing screenplay from Justin Kuritzkes, this romantic sports drama is IN. All the way to the classic movie poster that staring down the sunglasses channels the 80s energy of Tom Cruise sliding through the living room in a shirt, underwear and tube socks for some 'Risky Business'. The ace in the hole to make tennis sexy like Fred Perry again? Challenge accepted. Game, set and match. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Battle Of The Sexes', 'Borg Vs. McEnroe', 'Wimbledon'.