Rated PG-13 for language, violence and partial nudity
Starring Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany, Mark Addy, Alan Tudyk, James Purefoy
Directed by Brian Helgeland
The Story:
William Thatcher is a squire whose master dies. He assumes the identity of the knight to compete and feed himself and his partners Roland (Addy and Wat (Tudyk). On their journey to tournaments, they meet a young man named Chaucer (Bettany) who forges paper for William that allows him access to bigger and better tournaments. Then William sees the lovely Jocelyn (Sossamon) and is in love, and this brings him into direct conflict with Count Adhemar (Sewell). Will the charade work, or will everything come undone?
I have heard people moan and groan about how much they don't care for this movie...
I am in the other camp.
The happy camp, that enjoys this movie and revels in how much fun the movie is having.
Yes, that includes the usage of rock music in a medieval setting.
A lot of people hated it.
For me, it works.
I don't come to this one hoping for a fairly historical drama.
I want fun.
And that's exactly what we are given from start to finish.
The entire cast is pitch perfect... Sewell as Count Adhemar is a particularly perfect evil foil to Ledger's hero.
I am still torn over which Heath Ledger performance is my favorite, this one or 10 Things I Hate About You.
You can take his turn as The Joker. I'll enjoy these films instead. Way more fun...
Paul Bettany seems to be having a blast as Chaucer, and his introductions at the fight are nothing short of legendary.
A small, but pivotal role is James Purefoy as Sir William Colville... who also isn't exactly what he seems either.
: )
This movie gets a lot of airplay in our house.
A lot.
No complaints.
Final Grade: A
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Own it. It gets watched at least once a year. When it wears out, Blu Ray upgrade. ;)
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