Chevalier

Instead of Hollywood producing films centered around fictional characters, so much of the time, they offer us films, or biopics, about real people whether they be actors, politicians, singers, musicians, sports figures and the like. As the old adage goes: "truth is stranger than fiction". As with the case of "Chevalier", about a black classical composer/musician in the 1780's France, where this is definitely something the majority of people wouldn't be expecting...even today.

Set as a prelude to the French Revolution in the 1780's, this tale is about the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave, Nanon (Ronke Adekoluejo) and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), in a tour de force performance, rises to improbable heights in French Society as a celebrated violinist composer and fencer complete with an ill-fated love affair with Marie-Josephine (Samara Weaving) and a falling out with once friend Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court. 

Others to round out the cast are Marton Csokas as Marquis De Montalembert, Alex Fitzalan as Philippe, Minnie Driver as La Guimard, Alec Newman as Poncet, Sian Clifford as Madame de Genlis, Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Christoph Gluck, Jim High as George Bologne, Joseph's father and Jessica Boone as La Arnould. 

This was directed with such pathos and with subtle nuances by Stephen Williams ("Shadow Zone: My Teacher Ate My Homework" '97, "Hard Time: The David Milgaard Story" '99, "Harry's Case" 2000, "A Killing Spring" '02, "Verdict in Blood" '02) plus TV and a short. This filmmaker has a tremendous amount of TV experience, and even though he has only directed TV since 2002, he was able to delineate the direction of this with exact precision. His ability to extract the emotions that had to happen from his actors, especially from Harrison was short of phenomenal. He needs to stay with feature films for a while. It was also penned well by a virtual newcomer to feature films, Stefani Robinson (TV). Undoubtedly, her being involved with writing for TV has served her well, and it was more than likely she was able to pull off this screenplay as well as she did. Other than a couple of areas of choppiness, this script was amazing. She will receive more work as she should. This film could be up for several Oscars: costumes, production design, makeup, hair, photography and especially Kelvin Harrison Jr. as best actor. Of course, this is all dependent on what films are released from now to the end of the year--the deadline for Oscar nominations. 

Being an avid fan of classical music, I hope there is a soundtrack to this film since it was amazing. Even if you're not expressly a classical music fan, the acting and directing will be enough to woo you into the multiplex. This has it all: intrigue, drama, deception, fear and talent all rolled up in a film that will entertain. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                         Rated: PG-13                                           108mins.