Reisman Family Denounce 'Marty Supreme' as Distorted Biopic
The atmosphere was heavy with emotion as Debbie Reisman and her two adult sons, Roger and Josh, settled into their cinema seats. Moments later, Timothée Chalamet exploded onto the screen in the title role of Marty Supreme, portraying a fictionalised version of their beloved father and grandfather, real-life table tennis champion Marty Reisman. Throughout the screening, the trio struggled to contain their feelings as they witnessed what they describe as a deeply inaccurate and hurtful depiction.
Commercial Success Versus Family Distress
Released in the UK on Boxing Day and co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow, who emerged from retirement to play Marty's older love interest, the film has proven a commercial triumph. Directed by Josh Safdie, it has earned over $72 million at the US box office, surpassing the performance of One Battle After Another, starring Chalamet's Oscar rival Leonardo DiCaprio. Industry experts estimate global earnings could reach approximately $180 million.
Yet this financial success rings hollow for the Reisman family, who watched with growing dismay as the film presented Marty Mauser – the character loosely based on their relative – as a sociopathic hustler engaged in theft, vandalism, and multiple affairs. Debbie Reisman, Marty's only child, summarised her reaction succinctly: "They made him look like a lowlife."
A Portrait They Cannot Recognise
The family vehemently disputes numerous plot elements, including an affair with a married Hollywood actress, a pregnancy outside marriage, and a humiliating scene where the character is spanked with a table tennis paddle by the actress's husband. Josh Reisman, a youth sports coach, found this particular moment especially troubling.
"The scene that stood out to me is the part where the financier spanked him with the paddle," he said. "That was humiliation and desperate, and that's not what he stood for. Marty was ambitious but he wasn't desperate. He would have been mortified if he was alive."
Roger Reisman, a former teacher, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the man they knew – who died in 2012 aged 82 – was extraordinary in many ways, with a brilliant sense of humour, a deep sense of justice, and a caring nature. "It was hard for my mother to watch a film tied so closely to her father's name, while straying so far from who he truly was," he added.
Exclusion and Lack of Consultation
Compounding their distress is the fact that the Reisman family – Marty's only direct descendants – were not consulted during the film's production, did not grant their blessing, and have received no financial compensation. They believe the filmmakers deliberately avoided engaging with them, perhaps because they anticipated disapproval over the creative direction.
Josh Reisman speculated: "I think the reason we were never included was maybe there were some things they were going to portray we wouldn't have approved. Maybe they didn't want to share in the creative process, and maybe they didn't want to share in any of the benefits of it."
The family asserts that the film draws heavily on Marty Reisman's 1974 autobiography, The Money Player, including specific anecdotes such as a story about a Holocaust survivor friend, without proper attribution. They claim filmmakers have "profited while externalising harm" and used disclaimers to evade responsibility.
The Real Marty Reisman
Contrary to the film's depiction, the real Marty Reisman was a complex and accomplished individual. Born in 1930 on New York's Lower East Side, he discovered table tennis aged nine after a nervous breakdown. He became a city junior champion by 13 and later financed his career through hustling at Manhattan clubs. His achievements included winning 22 major championships, such as the US and British Opens, and running his own New York table tennis club, where he befriended celebrities like Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon.
While he did engage in minor illicit activities, such as selling silk stockings in post-war England and smuggling gold, the family insists these were overshadowed by his genuine talent, integrity, and warmth. Debbie Reisman fondly recalled: "My father wasn't like that. He made me feel so special when I was growing up. I want people to know that."
Seeking Redress and Setting the Record Straight
The Reismans are now calling for Hollywood to adopt better practices regarding biographical films, including consulting families and properly crediting sources. They have launched a website, martyreisman.com, and plan to publish a sequel to his autobiography, written before his death, to present an authentic account of his life in his own words.
As the Oscar nominations bring renewed attention to Marty Supreme, the family remains resolute in their campaign. Josh Reisman concluded: "This film is deeply drawn from his life but left out the voices of those closest to him. The smallest gesture like putting mum in the film could have gone a long way." Their hope is that the public will look beyond the cinematic portrayal to appreciate the true legacy of a remarkable sportsman.
