A KNIGHT'S TALE * *
2001 – USA Director: Brian Helgeland Starring: Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Alan Tudyk, Paul Bettany
Reviewed by Frankie Paiva
Just avoid it. It's that simple. `A Knight's Tale' is a new medieval jousting comedy/drama that molds itself into whatever the story requires, with little regard for plausibility, time, reason, or feeling. The movie is like a young child that's just discovered clay. It is juvenile, and severely lacking in form, content, and consistency.
That said, Heath Ledger is awfully good as William Thatcher, a squire who takes over his dead master's position in of-noble-blood-only jousting matches across Europe. William has trained since childhood, and has the skills and sheer gut for competition. He just needs some practice. As he rises to prominence, he gains a rival (Rufus Sewell), and goes after the heart of a fair maiden (Shannyn Sossamon). Also showing up are two annoying actors, Mark Addy and Alan Tudyk as `humorous' sidekicks.
The film opens with a crowd of bloodthirsty jousting patrons hungrily awaiting carnage, and simultaneously clapping and singing along with Queen's `We Will Rock You'. The modern rock hit fun continues throughout, with Thin Lizzy, David Bowie, and Heart eventually getting in on the action. The scoring gives the film a modern effect it doesn't need. Just when writer/director Brian Helgeland manages to get his production back on track, he derails with another song. Let's give them Eric Clapton and sword fighting! No! Let's do Robbie Williams and medieval slaughter!
It doesn't help that jousting really isn't that exciting, and Helgeland doesn't attempt to make it so. He does, at least, explain the rules of the game, which are helpful to the non-history-oriented, but to this 21st-century eye, the game just comes off as silly. Thousands of years from now, I'm sure the creatures living on Earth will think the same thing of beach volleyball.
After supporting roles in two other Columbia productions, `10 Things I Hate About You' and `The Patriot', Heath Ledger gets his first starring role. He does his best, and brings a mix of boyish charm and ruggedness often associated with the likes of Matt Damon or fellow countryman Russell Crowe. The other performances are passable, never quite meeting satisfactory.
`A Knight's Tale' tries desperately to be a younger, hipper version of `Gladiator', and it fails. It doesn't matter that the story veers nowhere, and the supporting actors need medical help, but that Helgeland has no, even vague, point to this whole mess. Add that the film is almost never entertaining or funny, and its quality, even as airplane entertainment, becomes highly questionable.
But what about Heath Ledger, the smiling, good-looking Australian star? Well, he has better things ahead of him, hopefully. He's talented, and gives this summer movie masses of deceiving credibility. Better luck next time.
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