Few
movies this summer looked as positively dumb as A Knight's Tale. With it's Camelot
look bombarded by contemorary music from the likes of Queen and War, this picture
looked like a disaster. In the lead, dashing young Heath Ledger who last appeared
in the overbloated The Patriot. If this movie taught me anything, it's never underestimate
the power of writer- director Brian Helgeland. True, the guy did co-write the
screenplay to the disasterous The Postman, but he also won an Acadamy Award for
his brilliant work on L.A. Confidential and made a big splash directing Payback.
His new film A Knight's Tale is nothing more than a fun time at the movies.
In
A Knight's Tale, Ledger plays a peasant who assumes the role of royalty so that
he may be allowed to participate in jousting competitions. After winning several
matches, Ledger begins to make a little money and becomes smitten with a young
woman who's heart he hopes to win.
As
stated earlier, the film uses contemporary music, modern dance and some present
day dialogue. But rather then becoming intrusive, these elements actually make
A Knight's Tale thouroughly enjoyable. Credit Helgeland with taking some interesting
chances. He's fashioned a picture that's reminiscent of George Romero's creative
Knightriders, a film in which biker gangs engage in jousting tournaments while
atop of their motorcycles.
Ledger
is terrific here. In fact, he does everything in A Knight's Tale that he was unable
to pull off in The Patriot. Although he put forth a valiant effort in that picture,
he seems much more comfortable in this role and really seems be having a good
time as is the rest of the cast. Mark Addy and Alan Tudyk are hilarious as Ledger's
right hand men. Newcomer Shannyn Sossamon (who greatly resembles Angelina Jolie)
is graceful as the woman of Heath's affection. Rufus Sewell is understated as
the viallain. It is Paul Bettany as Geoff Chaucer, however, that steals the show
as the writer who beomes Ledger's warm up act before jousting tournaments.
The
last time we saw director Helgeland, he was at the reigns of Payback (a film in
which he was mysteriously replaced towards the end of production), a brilliantly
dark and calleous crime thriller starring Mel Gibson. With A Knight's Tale, Helgeland
shows a softer side. He also shows an incredibly creative side for as great as
some of his previous films were, they were'nt quite as off the wall as this.
A
Knight's Tale isn't exactly huge in scope. It's not Braveheart, or Gone With the
Wind. But it is extremely well directed and full of terrific performances. It's
a movie full of action, humor, romance, and a certain magical quality that really
makes it worth seeing. A Knight's Tale is the first really fun film of the summer.
Lets hope there's more to come.
