THE LAST DUEL
This wonderful film by Ridley Scott follows the events leading up to the the duel declared by King Charles VI between Jean De Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). This happened to be the Last Duel ever allowed in France.
I went in to see this film blind. What a nice surprise. This was all about acting and Ridley Scott.
Scott took this story and told it here three times. From the perspective of all three participants. Three? Yes.
De Carrouges; Le Gris; and Marguerite De Carrouges (Jodi Comer). Fascinating decision and it worked. Sometimes we see the same scenes from another angle. Including the rape accusation in two angles.
This all leads to the duel, which only takes up about 15 minutes of this 2 hour and 30 minute film...and that is a problem. More on that later.
No spoilers here, but I was glued to this film the whole time. Now in most directors hands this could have been soapy, however it comes across as more gritty using an almost grey scale and a fantastic score by Harry Gregson Williams.
The performances from the leads are all perfect.
If I had a complaint and it is kind of big...Scott should have pulled back on many scenes that were not necessary. It is not just a slow burn it is an agonizing burn. WE GET IT..Jean is getting treated piss poor. Marguerite is alone often. Le Gris has a big ego and is a dog. LET'S GET TO THE DUEL.
Oh and there is Ben Affleck who was miscast...I will leave that there lol.
4 stars out of 5 for The Last Duel. One of the best film of the year...just a bit long.
From the shadows thanks for your time
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