It’s not Rashomon, but it’s surprisingly good for a film told multiple times. Strong acting, directing and costumes, a really solid script. The film gains layers of intrigue each time the story is told. In the end, the film has something to say about truth, power and ego. It does run a little long though.
So fucking heavy and oppressive (not complaining, just expressing)... There are some great acting in here and a horrible, constant, feeling of dread and mistrust that only builds and builds. It's an exhausting movie (by design, I think), so be ready.
A very good film on the verge of being great. I would have preferred European actors in the place of Damon and Affleck who both failed to disappear into their roles. I could maybe say the same of Driver, though he seemed better suited to his character despite being much younger than the actual Le Gris.
How do you do a topical story essentially about the Kavanaugh confirmation to the Supreme Court, but set it in 14th-Century France? Ridley Scott offers The Last Duel, our second take-down of the chivalric code this year (after The Green Knight), based on actual events in the court of Charles VI. The more things change... Scott has been doing movies about rape since Alien, but there's a Rashomon twist here that only subtly changes intersecting scenes between the two vain knights/squires and the lady wronged by one (or perhaps both) of them. Not that this is a subtle film in terms of its messaging. But though the variations on events are relatively slight, they do create suspense as to what the ultimate truth will be. Surprisingly funny thanks to the aristocrats in this, Ben Affleck's Count in particular. These dilettantes are above the petty concerns of their knights and squires and take none of it very seriously, and are rightly ridiculed as well as condemned. As for the duel itself, it's worth the wait. I felt every blow and squirmed in my seat. Also have to say that between this and Free Guy, that's quite the range on Jodie Comer who is blazingly good in this.
It takes a little time to get going, but once you catch on to the narrative point of view it pulls you right in. An engaging movie that portrays social ills very much familiar to us today, but highlighted in stark relief by their taking place in the Middle Ages.
Anything that sheds more light on an Akira Kurosawa film gets a point in my book. Last Duel mirrors a lot of Rashomon's storytelling but is still well crafted by Ridley. Serious films in the medieval genre are not common, so it's nice to see one that earns its keep. We're so used to seeing a linear story on film that something like this comes along and really opens your eyes to how much exaggeration and diverging stories are present in the film, just like how reality is the same. The multiple storylines weren't too difficult to watch repeatedly if only to spot the nuances and switch in characters as they paint themselves in a more positive light.
The worst parts are when Scott seems to try to throw in as many modern day buzzwords and situations regarding rape that he possibly can. Blame the victim, check, how about some unscientific opinions about rape and pregnancy, check, another character who's been raped but believes it's no big deal, double check, belief that Marguerite actually enjoyed it, triple check. Maybe there's a historical basis for each and every one of those points but when all of this gets thrown at you in rapid fire succession it starts to feel more of a parody or possibly even worse, propaganda. Gotta love that Scott's response as to why the movie flopped was that it was all those "gosh-darn millennial's fault!"
What was the point of the Rashomon framework when everyone tells the same story? I mean I get that Hollywood is too in the doghouse about this to depict ambiguity about rape events. OK, fine, then don't do rape Rashomon. Or just tell the story and make a normal length movie without needlessly repeated scenes.
the three points of view of the story follow each other, boredom sets in. You can quickly understand how each of them will present their version of the facts until the final dual which, I admit presented
The first quarter and last quarter were great, but the middle section, which is the Rashomon part and thus really the central idea of the movie just did not pay off IMO. The focus of the movie was off. Everything that wasnt the retelling of the events in question was excellent, and I feel if the movie had shifted more of its 152 minute runtime to that, there'd be more reason to see it.
Also, for potential viewers, the movie centers around a rape, and they fully show it at length multiple times. I can see why it bombed in theaters. On home video you can forward through, or people uncomfortable watching it can leave the room for a moment. In a theater youre trapped, and that possibility can turn moviegoers away.
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frankqb
It’s not Rashomon, but it’s surprisingly good for a film told multiple times. Strong acting, directing and costumes, a really solid script. The film gains layers of intrigue each time the story is told. In the end, the film has something to say about truth, power and ego. It does run a little long though.4 stars out of 5
leodelgado01
So fucking heavy and oppressive (not complaining, just expressing)... There are some great acting in here and a horrible, constant, feeling of dread and mistrust that only builds and builds. It's an exhausting movie (by design, I think), so be ready.SpacePauls
It may not make sense, but I understand their legal system better than I understand my own.devilsadvocado
A very good film on the verge of being great. I would have preferred European actors in the place of Damon and Affleck who both failed to disappear into their roles. I could maybe say the same of Driver, though he seemed better suited to his character despite being much younger than the actual Le Gris.Siskoid
How do you do a topical story essentially about the Kavanaugh confirmation to the Supreme Court, but set it in 14th-Century France? Ridley Scott offers The Last Duel, our second take-down of the chivalric code this year (after The Green Knight), based on actual events in the court of Charles VI. The more things change... Scott has been doing movies about rape since Alien, but there's a Rashomon twist here that only subtly changes intersecting scenes between the two vain knights/squires and the lady wronged by one (or perhaps both) of them. Not that this is a subtle film in terms of its messaging. But though the variations on events are relatively slight, they do create suspense as to what the ultimate truth will be. Surprisingly funny thanks to the aristocrats in this, Ben Affleck's Count in particular. These dilettantes are above the petty concerns of their knights and squires and take none of it very seriously, and are rightly ridiculed as well as condemned. As for the duel itself, it's worth the wait. I felt every blow and squirmed in my seat. Also have to say that between this and Free Guy, that's quite the range on Jodie Comer who is blazingly good in this.Earring72
Very underrated. It's grim and heavy. Deserves multiple viewing. Great acting and directing. Really liked itZilaDakaar
It takes a little time to get going, but once you catch on to the narrative point of view it pulls you right in. An engaging movie that portrays social ills very much familiar to us today, but highlighted in stark relief by their taking place in the Middle Ages.tweet_tweet
Solid!DisneyStitch
Anything that sheds more light on an Akira Kurosawa film gets a point in my book. Last Duel mirrors a lot of Rashomon's storytelling but is still well crafted by Ridley. Serious films in the medieval genre are not common, so it's nice to see one that earns its keep. We're so used to seeing a linear story on film that something like this comes along and really opens your eyes to how much exaggeration and diverging stories are present in the film, just like how reality is the same. The multiple storylines weren't too difficult to watch repeatedly if only to spot the nuances and switch in characters as they paint themselves in a more positive light.greenhorg
What was the point of the Rashomon framework when everyone tells the same story? I mean I get that Hollywood is too in the doghouse about this to depict ambiguity about rape events. OK, fine, then don't do rape Rashomon. Or just tell the story and make a normal length movie without needlessly repeated scenes.zmt311
Siskoid, you lunatic, this movie has nothing to do with Kavanaugh.jlfitz
HBOlekast
the three points of view of the story follow each other, boredom sets in. You can quickly understand how each of them will present their version of the facts until the final dual which, I admit presentedgobberpooper
The first quarter and last quarter were great, but the middle section, which is the Rashomon part and thus really the central idea of the movie just did not pay off IMO. The focus of the movie was off. Everything that wasnt the retelling of the events in question was excellent, and I feel if the movie had shifted more of its 152 minute runtime to that, there'd be more reason to see it.Also, for potential viewers, the movie centers around a rape, and they fully show it at length multiple times. I can see why it bombed in theaters. On home video you can forward through, or people uncomfortable watching it can leave the room for a moment. In a theater youre trapped, and that possibility can turn moviegoers away.
BLJNBrouwer
"If you run, I'll only chase you"