Amazon wants to gradually take over Netflix in the field of streaming, with a varied catalog that represents a direct commitment not only to its own video on demand platform, but also to cinemas. through himbuy MGMthe e-commerce brand par excellence wants to be a reference both on the big screen and in domestic content consumption and that is why, a few hours ago, Prime Video welcomed Zendaya’s latest success: Rivals.
This tennis drama was one of the first cinematographic phenomena 2024, when its belated premiere arrived at the end of April. Actually, Rivals It was a production that had planned its preview for the previous Venice Film Festivalbut the actors’ strike prevented the promotion of its stars and with that it made no sense to show it in the Italian competition. However, once the picket lines ended in Hollywood, United Artist Release next to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer They did everything possible to launch Zendaya to success, in a marketing campaign where, along with Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, they made the happiness of the fans in several European countries. But what is it about? Rivals? Is this really a story about the world of tennis? Well, even if everything happens around said sport, the competitive scene is just a pretext or metaphor to tell about a love trio in which everything seems good. A charm somewhat imposed.
“Rivals”: synopsis and casting
Beyond the obvious appeal of its flagship trio, the charm of Rivals He also focused on Luca Guadagninoone of the popular filmmakers who put Timothée Chalamet on the academic map with Call me by your name and who, among other things, signed the generational and fantastic series We are who we are. With a budget of 55 million dollars, 10 of which went into the pockets of the protagonist of Euphoriathe film obtained honorable results 96 million collections inside ticket office world. An affirmation that clearly endures from the success of Zendaya, but also from a specialized press which mainly supported this sports drama which plays a role match ball constant double meaning and which, in a somewhat naive way, repeats its main allegory again and again, so that the viewer becomes aware of its main adage: tennis is sex Rivals. Although without dramatic weight, the cast is rounded out by AJ Lister, Nada Despotovich, Naheem García, Hailey Gates, Jake Jensen and Mary Joe Fernandez.
The plot centers on Tashi Duncan, a promising professional tennis player who must leave the profession. after a serious injury. Retrained as a coach, she is determined to redirect the career of her husband Art, who is going through a crisis as a player. To stimulate him, he enters him into a “Challenger” tournament, a low-ranking competition in which he must face PatrickTashi’s former boyfriend and the one who was Art’s best friend in the past.
A superficial and senseless parade
Yes, the three protagonists of this hyperbolic dramaturgy are fantastic. Something to be expected from actors of the stature of Zendaya herself, Faist and O’Connor. But unfortunately, this parade remains halfway the outbursts of the “director” by Guadagnino (this succession of final shots is incomprehensible horribilis) and a scenario that borders on superficiality and laziness, all the ins and outs that mark power relations.
In short, Rivals It would be more bearable if I didn’t experience self-aggrandizement as a religion. Overall, it ultimately feels like watching three classy people play tennis in what ends up being an extremely insignificant absurdity.
2024: Zendaya’s year of success
Zendaya’s success in 2024 was double economically and critically. On the one hand, for the aforementioned praise towards Rivalsbut also for its performances in Dune: part two. The return to Arrakis raised $627 million worldwide, in addition to offering the Californian a complex in-depth look into Chani’s character. Thus, Zendaya has become an icon on the exploitation market, beyond the small screen and the MCU (Marvel Cinematographic Universe).
In the future we can see it in Dune: Messiah and in a new, as-yet-untitled A24 project alongside Robert Pattinson. Rivals It lasts a little over two hours and is only available on Prime Video.
