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‘The Green Knight’ Review – Dev Patel Delivers A Remarkable Performance In A Stunning Piece of Art

By Dom Fisher
August 3, 2021
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Synopsis:

An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table.

We all have to figure out this thing called life one way or another. Through ups and downs, twists and turns, trials and tribulations, we all have individual journeys leading to victory; whatever your victory may be. No one journey is like another, while some are paved in gold, others are rife with difficult decisions and dangers at every turn. No matter how easy or how hard it is to get to your destination, every quest has its problems and can be derailed if you lose focus. So before you decide to compare or belittle someone else’s road to success, just remember, every journey isn’t for everybody and everybody isn’t for every journey.

“The world is fit for all manner of mystery.”

The 14th century has returned in all its mystical glory in David Lowery’s The Green Knight. This is not just simply a great film but it’s a stunning piece of art. Based on the chivalric romance epic, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by anonymous, the film is a treacherous journey to self-discovery. It’s not only visually astonishing, perfectly scored, and well-acted, but it’s a story that stays with you long after the credits finish rolling. Just like the Middle English poem, there are multiple meanings, symbols, and interpretations to every aspect of the quest. From life and death, growth and rebirth, man and nature, love and lust, this beautifully poetic tale of a flawed hero will captivate you from start to finish. Letting you know from the beginning that this telling of the story will be unlike what you may have encountered in the past, it still upholds the general messages of the original subject material. Focusing on the unprepared and eager nephew of King Arthur who is determined to become a knight, he then bites off more than he can chew. After making a deal with a mysterious green knight in front of members of the Round Table, our hero, Gawain must traverse to a green chapel in a year’s time to fulfill his part of the bargain. While on the odyssey, Gawain encounters a multitude of things that test the mettle of a man and the code of a knight. With trials, danger, and the unknown at every turn, this coming-of-age story is trippy, majestic, and one of my favorites of the year. Even if you’re not fully familiar with the highly debated poem, The Green Knight is definitely worth a watch. Its rewatchability is high.

Dev Patel, Sean Harris (L-R)
Photo by: Eric Zachanowich

Pacing & Pop

The pacing of this film is rather slow but in the most hypnotic way. What popped for me was the film’s aesthetic. The setting, production design, and costume are stunning. Oh, and the sound was terrific.

Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander (L-R)
Photo by: Eric Zachanowich

Characters & Chemistry

Dev Patel delivers a remarkable performance. As Gawain, he is ambitious, foolish, and gallant. His chemistry with Lady/Essel (Alicia Vikander) is the most intriguing and results in some of the best moments of the film. The Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) looks amazing and even while the story follows Gawain, the Green Knight is the crux of the journey. Also, the ominous moments with the Lord (Joel Edgerton) make for an intense third act. The rest of the cast including, Sean Harris, Sarita Choudhury, Erin Kellyman, Barry Keoghan, Kate Dickie, and Helena Brown is great as well.

The Green Knight is now in theaters as of July 30, 2021. Stay safe and enjoy.