Chevalier – Review
107 Minutes, Rated PG-13
Written by Stephani Robinson
Directed by Stephen Williams
**NOTE: this post may be updated with audio once we actually have the chance to talk about it. Until then, you can read Mark’s review below. Remember, though, you can listen to all our discussions of this and every other movie directly over on ACAST. Stay tuned.**
Synopsis:
Based on the true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a composer before an ill-fated love affair.
The story of French musician Joseph Bologne is an intriguing and compelling one, worthy of a cinematic adaptation. Sadly, due to Napolean (yes, THAT Napolean) having most documentation of his life and music destroyed, establishing truth is something of a challenge for historians.
As such, writer Stefani Robinson and director Stephen Williams (both admittedly enamored of Bologne years before taking the project) have taken what they could find and fleshed out a story of the time in pre-revolution France, with Joseph as its centerpiece and our avatar into this–and his–world.
Alas, what could have been an epic story of a discounted artist and hero, consumed by a forbidden love, set within a simmering war for “Liberté, égalité, fraternité” (French for “liberty, equality, fraternity”), instead plays as a rather bland, by the numbers period drama with little to no tension, no surprises, and very little real emotion (save for one heartbreaking scene, which, for all its impact, is inevitable and predictable on its own).
Sure, the chemistry between stars Kelvin Harrison Jr and Samara Weaving (whom trained in opera for the film) is fine, and convincing enough, and the supporting cast plays their roles well ( Lucy Boynton’s Marie Antoinette is a superbly young, scared, yet powerful, queen trying to navigate a world that still discounts her as a women, even though she is queen), and the production design and cinematography throughout are stellar, as well.
But in the end, I was left thinking that Chevalier felt like it wanted to be a Baz Luhrman film, and wonder if a bit more Baz-ness might have helped the film rise about what it ultimately feels like it might have been a better fit as: a television series, with ample time to delve into each aspect of Joseph’s life: his schooling, his rise as composer, his entry into Marie Antoinette’s court, etc.
Stephen William’s background working on exceptional television (Watchmen, Westworld, Counterpart, et. al.) feels like this idea had more merit than making a narratively blunted feature directorial debut.
Not a bad film by any stretch, I have to land on calling Chevalier a good film that could have been much better, and the fact that it isn’t is disappointing for such a compelling, real-world character.
Chevalier hits theaters on April 21 and stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucy Boynton, Samara Weaving, Minnie Driver, Sian Clifford, and Marton Csokas.
And remember, if the BEST thing you can say about a movie is that it’s “visually stunning,” then they’ve done something wrong.
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tags: movies, movie review, Chevalier, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucy Boynton, Samara Weaving, Minnie Driver, Sian Clifford, and Marton Csokas, Stephani Robinson, Stephen Williams, drama, period, french revolution, music, paris opera,joseph bologne, searchlight pictures