The Last Duel

Films about the dark ages or the knights of the round table type films have been around for decades, and although they are gruesome on the most part, they are also a perennial favorite of the stanchest fan. "The Last Duel". although being based on true events, is one of the most graphic, intense films of the genre that has come along in years. 

This story is a cinematic and thought-provoking drama set in the midst of the Hundred Years War in the 1380's, that explores the ubiquitous power of men, the frailty of justice and the strength and courage of one woman willing to stand alone in the service of truth, based on actual events, the film unravels long-held assumptions about France's last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrogues (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), two friends turned bitter rivals. Carrogues is a respected knight known for his bravery and skill on the battlefield. Le Gris is a Norman squire whose intelligence and eloquence make him one of the most admired nobles in court. When Carrogues' wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer) is viciously assaulted by Le Gris, a charge he denies, she refuses to stay silent, stepping forward to accuse her attacker, an act of bravery and defiance that puts her life in jeopardy. The ensuing trial by combat, a grueling duel to the death, places all three in God's hands. What makes this even more political, is that of the presence of Pierre d'Alencon (Ben Affleck), who is France's king who supports Le Gris. Since Le Gris has helped d'Alencon so much, there is a huge conflict of interest. 

Others to round out the cast are Harriet Walter as Nicole de Carrogues, Alex Lawther as King Charles VI, Marton Csokas as Crespin, William Houston as herald at the duel, Oliver Cotton as Jean de Carrogues III, Aurelien Lorgnier as Carrogues' priest, Nathaniel Parker as Sir Robert de Thibouville, Tallulah Haddon as Marie and Bryony Hannah as Alice.

This was extremely and intensely directed by veteran Ridley Scott ("The Duelists" '77, "Alien" '79, "Blade Runner" '82, "Legend" '85, "Black Rain" '89, "1492: Conquest of Paradise" '92, "White Squall" '96, "Gladiator" 2000, "Hannibal" '01, "Black Hawk Down" '02, "American Gangster" '07, "Bodies of Lies" '08, "Prometheus" '12, "Exodus: Gods and Kings" '14, "The Martian" '15, "All the Money in the World" '17, "House of Gucci" '21) plus others, TV, shorts and video shorts. Ever since I saw "Alien", I was hooked on the incredible ability that Scott has in the director's chair. He directs with grit, cohesiveness, and conciseness. This film was amazingly well paced and followed the storyline effortlessly. With his body of work, one can see how he has evolved as one of the greatest directors we have today. It was well crafted by writer Nicole Holofcener ("Walking and Talking" '96, "Lovely & Amazing" '01, "Friends with Money" '06, "Please Give" '10, "Enough Said" '13, "Every Secret Thing" '14, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" '18, "The Land of Steady Habits" '18) plus TV and a short, Ben Affleck ("Good Will Hunting" '97 "Gone Baby Gone" '07, "The Town" '10, "Live By Night" '16) and Matt Damon ("Good Will Hunting" '97, "Gerry" '02, "Promised Land" '12), based on the book by Eric Jager. This film is formatted in a series of flashbacks starting with the duel and before it continues with the duel, it takes the audience back 17 years in order to delineate how these once friends, turned to attacking each other. It's not an original way to structure a script, however, the way these writers unfolded the story, it allowed its audience a look into the strengths, weaknesses and insecurities of the two who ultimately dueled, not to mention others around them. What does make this format original is that it is written in three chapters giving three different perspectives of what happened to Marguerite. Holofcener wrote the chapter of Marguerite, Affleck wrote the chapter of Le Gris and Damon wrote the chapter of Garrogues' perspective. This gave an interesting aspect to the story as it unfolded. Other than this being a little long-in-the-tooth--it could've been cut about 5 minutes, this was a spot on film on every level. The supervising sound editing by Oliver Tarney and re-recording mixing by Paul Massey, David Giammarco and William Miller was so over the top that you would cringe when you'd hear a knight stab someone or clang one of their swords. It was amazing! 

Certainly if you like knights of the round table, dark ages type of films, you will revel with this film. It was brilliantly directed, cleverly written and wonderfully acted by Damon, Driver, Comer and Affleck and the fact that this is the second collaboration of writing between Damon and Affleck makes it that much more appealing. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                               Rated: R                                               153mins.