About every five years, Ridley Scott realizes a story that takes place in the Middle Ages or even earlier. The last such production was Exodus: Gods and Kings, starring Christian Bal. This time, the British director became interested in a script written by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holfcener, based on a book by Eric Jager. It is the story of a duel for which Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) summoned Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) for having his wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) against her will. As it was a word against the word, the king allowed God to decide who was right in a death and life duel.
The last duel is based on a true story taking place at the end of the 14th century in France. Two squires fighting in the name of the King of France, but in the service of Count Pierre d'Alencon (Ben Affleck), are slowly climbing up the knightly hierarchy. Jean de Carrouges comes from a wealthy family and has the prospect of taking over the captaincy of the region. Jacques Le Gris is poorer, but educated, thanks to which he quickly creeps into the count's favors and is favored by him at the expense of his friend. His fairly swift career becomes a salt in Jean's eye. Le Gris, on the other hand, says that unfairly too many good things happen to his former comrade in battle - one of which is marrying the beautiful and educated Marguerite. He believes that in fact he is the chosen one of a woman's heart. Whether these guesses are factually correct is of secondary importance to him.
This drama, shown from three perspectives, is very well acted. Jodie Comer captures the character of a woman fighting for her rights very well. Despite the fact that he sees resistance on both sides, he does not undo the accusations made. She knows that great harm has been done to her and she wants justice. The viewer hopes from the very beginning that he will get it, although the world in which he lives is turned against her. And this is where I see the great advantage of Scott's film - the viewer, not knowing the story (I feel that there are many such audiences), cannot predict its end.
Damon and Driver provide great support for Jodie Comer. They make the whole story even more credible and play on the emotions of the viewers. These aren't heroes to like, but you can't take your eyes off them either, and that's probably the best praise for their creations.
The last duel is not only the story of an injured woman, but also a story about knights. Scott has almost perfected his swordfighting on the big screen. The viewer feels the blood and dirt of these clashes. There is no chaotic editing and no shaking camera in them. There are smooth transitions and great choreography. Damon looks like a warrior pulled alive from the Middle Ages. He knows how to use a sword, which makes the battle scenes memorable. Just like the title duel. In addition, there are perfectly made costumes that take the viewer to a bygone era. Janty Yates has done a titanic job in refining every costume, armor or dress. You can see that with each subsequent project implemented with Scott, he raises the bar.
However, not everything is so perfect in this production. We have an unnecessarily comedic character of the Count played by Ben Affleck. In places it felt as if the actor was playing in a completely different production than the rest of the cast. It is exaggerated and grotesque. Although it is more the director's fault than Affleck's, because King Charles V played by Alex Lawther also behaves as if he was borrowed from some comedy for a while. This procedure spoils the perception of the whole and takes away some seriousness from it.
The last match is also a good thirty minutes too long. Scott stretched the story to nearly three hours. Many events could be safely abandoned (without prejudice to the plot) and restored in the recently popular extended versions during the premiere on some medium.
Ridley's new production is an interesting and necessary film that will provoke viewers into discussions. The topic shown there is still valid. And although the resolution of similar disputes in bloody arenas moved to courtrooms, social ostracism remained. There are still many people who are reluctant to look at those women who speak out loud about what has been done to them. This movie won't change that, but it is definitely an important step in the right direction.
