Synopsis:
A gripping tale of betrayal and vengeance set against the brutality of 14th century France. Based on actual events, the historical epic unravels long-held assumptions about France’s last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris, two friends turned bitter rivals.
Keep your hands to yourself. It’s a simple concept and one of the first things we learn as a child. As we age, the concept seems harder to grasp for some people, for whatever reason. The issue may lie in an uneven power dynamic, privilege, or that some people simply think that the rules don’t apply to them. However, the fact remains, you shouldn’t touch people that don’t want you touching them, especially when they’re vocal about it. As we’ve seen over the past eight or nine years, those individuals who chose not to right the ship at some point and continued to break the rules are being held accountable. Unfortunately, some of the worst offenders still manage to slither their way out of trouble due to their status and that’s a real problem. With a system that tends to become progressively more corrupt as time passes, it’s no wonder why things can’t get better. Hopefully, things change and we can count on the rich and powerful, and those who are clearly guilty, to be held to the same standards as the rest of us. If not, the last duel may not be the last duel, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
“But what of my name?”
While there may be multiple stories, it will only end one way. Based on true events, Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel is a thrilling epic that rests upon captivating storytelling. Playing out against the backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War, this is a tale of jealousy, betrayal, privilege, and a diabolical act. Told from the three perspectives of those involved, the protector, the perpetrator, and the victim, the story slightly changes and goes into greater detail with each outlook. In a time where a very clear hierarchy is in place, those of noble blood and those they favored lived comfortable, charmed lives, and then there is everyone else. Men are defined by the battles they’ve won, the land they own, and the property they possess. And regrettably, women were viewed as part of that property. Whether it was a daughter to a father or a wife to a husband, women had very little say in how their lives played out. The women were to bear children, preferably sons, and do as they were told. The scariest part of it all is the mirror that this film holds up. There are men and women who still maintain this way of thinking. What’s also unfortunate is men of nobility tended to take what they wanted and with force if they need to. That meant food, drink, shelter, money, and women. And the one thing they cared about more than anything was their name and their honor. So when allegations of rape are brought forward, it’s a life or death situation. Sadly, the onus is on the woman to prove to her husband and everyone else that it actually happened, in a system that is rigged for her to fail. And the consequences are dire if she were found to be bearing false witness against a man. This story, anchored by very strong performances, is brutal, beautiful, and uncomfortable. It’s a visually stunning film. The production design is fantastic as is the costume design. The battle scenes are intense and shocking and the choreography that it dances with is amazing. The sound is great and immersive. This is a film that definitely has more effect in a theater. As much as the film is about a time that no longer exists, our present society still reflects some of the worst of that era. However, once the third act presents itself, we witness a strong, fearless woman that risks death in order for the truth to live. It also is home to perhaps the best duel that I’ve ever seen on film. The stakes are high, the emotions are fervent, and it can only end one way, death. This is a must-see. I enjoyed The Last Duel a great deal. Its rewatchability is high.
Pacing & Pop
The pacing of the film is very methodical, the details are important. However, as the story is told from three different perspectives, it feels a bit bloated as it heads into its third act. What popped for me was the amazing third act. Led by Jodie Comer’s amazing performance, the emotional build-up makes for an intense and brutal climax.
Characters & Chemistry
This cast delivers some strong performances, but none stronger than that of Jodie Comer as Marguerite de Carrouges. Her performance is not only impassioned, but she is the embodiment of the resiliency and strength of women. When it comes to the men, none of them were overwhelmingly great people but one is clearly a worse individual. Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouges delivers a performance that is full of rage and disdain. While Jean seems to have the best of intentions, his hubris makes him unlikeable to others around him and selfish to his wife. Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) is seemingly a decent guy until we come to discover that he is an unscrupulous, repugnant, privileged monster that thinks he can do what he wants. Driver does an excellent job providing us with a villain that on the surface seems like he would never be malicious.
The Last Duel is currently playing in theaters as of October 15, 2021. Stay safe and enjoy.
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck & Matt Damon, based on the book by Eric Jager
Producers: Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Kevin J. Walsh, p.g.a., Jennifer Fox, p.g.a., Nicole Holofcener, p.g.a., Matt Damon, p.g.a., Ben Affleck, p.g.a.
Executive Producers: Kevin Halloran, Drew Vinton, Madison Ainley
Rated: R
Runtime: 2h 33m
Rating: 4 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
