COME ONNNNN!
IF YOU’VE YET TO SEE CHALLENGERS, THE LATEST FILM FROM Luca Guadagnino, I SUGGEST THROWING ALL TO THE WAYSIDE AND MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
ZENDAYA, AS TASHI, A STAR TENNIS PLAYER TURNED COACH DUE TO A CAREER ENDING INJURY, AND THE CENTER OF A GORGEOUSLY MESSED UP LOVE TRIANGLE, IS A FORCE. Guadagnino STEPPED INTO A FULLY REALIZED VERSION OF HIS TALENTS,. THE cinematography IS PHENOMENAL. the performances are nuanced and perfect. DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON ANOTHER GENIUS SCORE FROM POWER DUO TRENT REZNOR AND ATTICUS ROSE. If you haven’t gone down that rabbit hole yet, this ought to get you started.
AT FIRST BLUSH, THIS FILM COULD SEEM LIKE ANOTHER PREDICTABLE STORY ABOUT POWER, PASSION AND FINDING ONE’S COMPETITIVE EDGE. I SUPPOSE IT IS ABOUT THOSE THINGS, BUT THAT’S JUST THE CLICK BAIT.
This film is really about playing “good tennis”, as Tashi calls it.
What is “good tennis” you ask?
“Good tennis” is really about showing up as the most authentic version of yourself; fierce, vulnerable and truly sentient. Tashi brings that version of herself, or tries but also loses her way at times, to the court and every moment in life. And she’s just waiting and hoping that someone will truly challenge her by gifting her that version of themselves in return.
“For about fifteen seconds there, we were actually playing tennis. And we understood each other completely. So did everyone watching. It’s like we were in love. Or like we didn’t exist. We went somewhere really beautiful together.”
this is what motivates tashi. not world domination. IT’S WHY SHE PLAYS. IT’S WHY SHE COACHES. IT’S WHY SHE PUSHES PEOPLE. IT’S WHY SHE PUSHES HERSELF. she just wants to watch and play fucking good tennis.
Perhaps I’m projecting. I’ve been know to do so. Whether or not this is the thread of truth Guadagnino was after or it’s just my thread of truth, the point for me is that I realized, through Tashi, that this is what I want out of life. as well. This is why I am in real estate. This is why I show up, why I support, why I push and why I am invested. i want to play, watch or FACILITATE good tennis.
Sometimes I’m your doubles partner. Sometimes I’m coaching from the sidelines. Sometimes you’re coaching me. Sometimes we’re playing each other. And sometimes I’m just sitting back with a glass of champagne to watch you slay. To me, it’s all the same. It’s all a win as long as some good tennis is being played.
so, now that I’ve made my point…………………………..
tennis anyone?