The Last Duel

Cleverly written and masterfully made reconstruction of the last ever trial by combat between chevaliers of Medieval France. Wonderful dialogs and various points of view of the three main protagonists build up the atmosphere gradually, culminating in the final punch-up. The intense, bloody duel is the crowning glory of this exquisite acting recital delivered by Damon, Driver and Jodie Comer too. Similarly, Affleck greatly enjoys his debauched nobleman. Scott quite possibly came up with the movie of the year. P.S.: And once again, a great soundtrack from Harry Gregson-Williams. CONFESS!!! (12/05/2021)

It takes a lot of confidence to craft an epic medieval drama that’s as intimate as it is grand, but if anyone has that kind of confidence, it’s Ridley Scott. I had high expectations for The Last Duel — the story promised originality, the cast was stacked with talent, and the medieval setting was ripe for immersive storytelling. And Ridley delivered on all fronts, earning a solid five stars from me. It’s been a while since a film completely transported me to another time period, and The Last Duel did just that. The authenticity of the setting, the complex characters who aren't simply good or evil but deeply rooted in the medieval world, and the rich atmosphere made it a standout experience. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Driver, and Jodie Comer all gave performances that lingered with me long after the credits rolled. I found myself replaying the final moments of the film in my mind, fixated on a single line that kept me awake, contemplating. That’s the kind of impact I love in a movie — when it leaves you thinking, feeling, and knowing you’ve witnessed something truly exceptional. The Last Duel is absolutely that. (10/27/2021)

Ridley Scott is a unique filmmaker, each of his great historical films is unique in style, concept and narrative. From classic linear swords and sandals (Gladiator), to a spiritual journey (Kingdom of Heaven), to peasants running around the woods in cool packs (Robin Hood). The Last Duel is most similar to Robin Hood in aesthetics and production design, but it is more serious, topical and layered in content. It's the story of a strong woman who was ahead of her time in thought (and courage). A breathtaking acting tour de force in an original and daring script, spiced with phenomenal visual stylisation, darkened camera filters and a fierce final sword fight. There isn't as much action as usual and the running time is a bit too long, mainly due to the fact that some shots are repeated several times due to the way the story is told – which is also basically the only flaw. (12/16/2021)

Ridley Scott and his historic comeback! I put this film off for quite a while, but I'm surprisingly pleased with the result. Scott relies on an unconventional theme, which he tells from three different points of view, and since I love the courts, history and the actors, I did without yawning and suffering, which I feared due to the lack of action scenes. In the first third Ridley serves up a couple of shorter battles, wonderfully raw and brutal – even though they lasted barely two minutes, it was still a treat and I'm quite annoyed that he didn't extend them to at least five minutes. Technically, the film is top notch, the costumes, the sets, the locations are very believable. The dialogue is top notch, the actors give their best. Matt Damon is superb, Jodie Comer is impressive, and Adam Driver is sleazy as a snake (I'm not really into Driver yet, his film choices don't really suit me), and the tense trial and the incredibly intense final duel were also great, more or less demanding 5 stars because it had everything and lacked nothing. A solid historical film that I may even repeat once, but I give Ridley a minor slap for the short battles, next time I want the carnage! Story 4/5, Action 3/5, Humor 0/5, Violence 3/5, Fun 4/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 5/5, Atmosphere 5/5, Suspense 4/5, Emotion 4/5, Actors 5/5. 8.5/10. (01/20/2022)

I would give I don't know what to be a part of a Ridley Scott shoot and get a glimpse of his art, his films look so real. One long camera shot captures the mood of the entire Middle Ages – a cathedral under construction, a stone bridge with a dirt road, huts by the river with boats floating on it, a peasant with an ox team, and behind him a cohort of soldiers on horseback, cattle behind a fence, dirty pigs wallowing in the mud, mangy dogs running around, and all that brown-tinted medieval gloom; beautiful. And then there's the story, which could be cheaply flushed down the drain as a politically correct me-too tale, but it's not. It is a powerful story about the strength of a woman who fights for her honour despite the threat of cruel death by burning. And at the end, it cuts to what is probably the best jousting I've seen in the cinema, even considering they so rarely appear in films. Jodie Comer is superb, and the guys are overshadowed by Adam Driver, he's a stud. And Ridley, once it's over, it's gonna hurt. (10/23/2021)