Marty Supreme: Unpacking Jugaad, American Exceptionalism and Trump's Worldview
Director Josh Safdie's film Marty Supreme, set in early 1950s New York, presents a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with contemporary audiences. Through its ambitious protagonist Marty Mauser, the film offers a sharp critique of both American exceptionalism and the celebrated Indian concept of jugaad.
The Soundtrack of Ambition
Despite its 1950s setting, the film's soundtrack features bombastic 1980s pop songs and a lively synth score. This deliberate musical choice serves to underscore the unhinged ambition of Marty Mauser, a fiercely competitive table tennis player determined to become the best in the game. Marty embodies the quintessential fast-talking hustler who will employ any means necessary—whether swindling, stealing, or lying—to achieve his dreams. In many ways, he represents the perfect embodiment of the Indian slang term jugaad.
Echoes of Reagan-Era America
The 1980s-inspired musical score subtly comments on the era of Ronald Reagan, when American exceptionalism permeated pop culture. Films like Wall Street, Trading Places, and Risky Business from that period advanced the notion of protagonists achieving success through questionable means. These characters worshipped at the altar of materialism, money, and social status, reflecting the cultural values of their time.
Interestingly, Reagan's election campaign often harkened back to the 1950s as the "good old days." However, Marty Supreme reveals that even during the post-war 1950s, America grappled with broken families, unhappy marriages, and a cutthroat "make it or break it" mentality. The film depicts a society where homeowners shoot trespassers, street arguments turn violent, and neighborhoods remain divided along racial and religious lines.
The Timeless Nature of American "Values"
The movie suggests that possessing a ruthless, morally ambiguous nature represents a uniquely American "value" that transcends decades, from the 1950s to the 2020s. This theme is powerfully reinforced through the casting of real-life Shark Tank judge Kevin O'Leary as Milton Rockwell, a pen company owner in the 1950s setting.
O'Leary brings the same ruthless and abrasive persona from the reality show to his character, creating a jarring yet deliberate effect. This casting choice demonstrates how a reality-TV capitalist from the 2000s seamlessly fits into a 1950s context, suggesting that the fundamental language of American business has remained unchanged across generations. When stripped of aesthetics and rhetoric, the same power dynamics and capital-driven motivations persist.
Contemporary Political Echoes
Rockwell's blustering confidence, performative cruelty, and belief that power itself proves merit inevitably recall the political ascent of Donald Trump, another reality television personality who transitioned to politics. Trump's capitalist worldview, much like Rockwell's, treats humiliation as a negotiation strategy and dominance as moral justification.
The Indian Connection: Jugaad Culture
For Indian viewers, Marty's journey carries uncomfortable resonance. His rise isn't driven by institutional backing or ethical mentorship but by improvisation and clever maneuvering. He consistently finds loopholes, bends systems, and survives through speed rather than stability—mirroring how jugaad is often celebrated in India as cleverness born of scarcity and innovation without proper infrastructure.
The film's creators skillfully make audiences root for this narcissistic, arrogant protagonist, encouraging admiration for his ingenuity while potentially overlooking the wreckage he leaves behind. This dynamic reflects how jugaad culture in India often prioritizes immediate results over long-term consequences.
The Uncrossable Boundary
Despite his willingness to hustle, cheat, and manipulate his way into opportunities, Marty maintains one crucial boundary: the sanctity of table tennis itself. Once at the table, skill becomes non-negotiable. He remains rigid, even arrogant, about his own excellence. While rules may be bent to gain entry, the actual contest cannot be faked. Access can be engineered, but performance must stand on its own merit.
A Critical Examination of Cultural Myths
Ultimately, Marty Supreme functions as a powerful critique of the myths sustaining both American exceptionalism and Indian hustle culture. The film raises important questions about what happens when cleverness replaces conscience and when success becomes an end in itself. Perhaps its most unsettling achievement lies in how Marty Mauser's relentless climb feels familiar rather than cautionary to many viewers, reflecting aspirations that transcend cultural boundaries.
The film challenges audiences to examine the ethical compromises made in pursuit of success and the cultural narratives that justify such behavior across different societies and historical periods.
