He’s a supremely diligent (and talented) actor

I’ve never had anyone wave millions of dollars at me, begging me to star in an action movie or a cute romance.
But if that did happen, I’d be tempted. Which is why I have such esteem for Timothee Chalamet.
He’s had all the things that create pop-culture fame — two “Dune” epics that made a combined $1.3 billion … a romantic supporting role in one great film (“Little Women”) … a musical role in another great one (“Wonka”) … and a photogenic romance with Kylie Jenner.
From there, he could have made easy money anywhere — from sci-fi to rom-coms to hair-gel ads. Instead, he took two roles that are amazingly complex and (in some ways) totally opposite — first as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown,” then as the supremely hyper Marty (shown here) in “Marty Supreme.”
That last one opened on Christmas Day (two days before Chalamet turned 30) and challenges viewers. We’re used to seeing a flawed protagonist who makes a few mistakes; this guy makes A LOT of them, digging deeper into trouble, convinced that sheer talent (in ping-pong) and optimism will prevail.
It’s a long movie, at two-and-a-half hours. Writer-director Josh Safdie gave it a very dark look and, alongside occasional humor, a dark mood.
But ultimately, you’re glad you saw it … and you’re glad some people are diligent about their work.
Chalamet has a third “Dune” epic coming out next year. But alongside his big roles, he’s had others as a shoplifter (“Don’t Look Up”), a young revolutionary (“The French Dispatch”) and a cannibal (“Bones and All”).
Meanwhile, he prepared for huge challenges. He shepherded “A Complete Unknown” for five years, learning to sing and play like Dylan. At the same time, he was learning ping-pong; he started preparing for “Marty Supreme” seven years ago, eventually going through intense training.
All of that is just the surface, of course. We watch these films because Chalamet makes the characters deep and vivid; we’re fascinated by them, flaws — HUGE flaws — and all.
The real Dylan and the fictional Marty have two things in common, these films say. Both are deeply self-immersed; both lied about their background.
But at the core, they’re opposites. Dylan is small-town Minnesota, laconic and mumbly; Marty is Brooklyn, hyper-verbal and hyper-everything.
In some ways, “Marty Supreme” has much in common with “Anora.” Both films escalate as people plunge deeper into the urban underworld.
(There’s another common link, an oddity: “Anora” stars Mikey Madison, who spent five years in “Better Things,” playing someone based loosely on Odessa A’zion … who co-stars as Rachel in “Marty Supreme.”)
“Anora” won five Oscars, including best-picture and best-actress, for Madison. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Chalamet get his third Oscar nomination now … and his first win.
“Marty Supreme” already has eight Critics Choice nominations (including best picture) and three Golden Globe nominations (including best comedy or musical, despite the fact that it’s neither).
Both include acting nominations for Chalamet — his fourth from Critics Choice (which airs Jan. 4 on E and USA) and fifth from Golden Globes (Jan. 11 on CBS).
Maybe this time he’ll win. In the mean time, catch “Marty Supreme” in a theater; settle in for a ride that’s long, bumpy and supremely well-acted.