The division between audiences and critics over a films reception can prove to be an interesting dynamic at times. Sometimes a motion picture comes along that has the makings of being a sure fire hit with audiences, but for whatever reason it doesn't connect with audiences enough to make it a box office success. With Ridley Scott's The Last Duel, one only needs to look at the strong reviews the film has generated only to end up as being a total financial dud despite boasting a talented cast which includes Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, and Ben Affleck. Perhaps it was that the film is too slow-paced for young audiences or that the medieval period setting feels played out, but for whatever reason the film largely underperformed and undeservedly so because it actually serves as being a brilliantly executed historical set-piece with stellar acting and directing.
Based on true events, Duel's plot chronicles the December 29 1386, trial by combat in which Norman Knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) duels squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) after accusing the latter of raping his wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer). The event is significant because it marked Frances last trial by combat in the middle ages due to its brutality. The story is divided up over the course of three distinct chapters with each perspective staged to differentiate from the other. Despite being slow moving, Duel's plot is one that pulls audiences in and keeps them engaged largely thanks to the strong performances of its cast combined with the films epic grandeur that accompanied past Ridley Scott epics. Duel's plot is one that's thought-provoking and makes audiences reflect on its main narrative after watching it.
The acting delivered by Duel's cast is hugely effective with both Damon and Driver delivering top-notch performances along with Comer elevating the trio with a commandingly powerful performance. Damon is on top form as respected French noble and squire Jean de Carrouges with him showing his characters loyalty to his king along with the built up frustration that he harbors towards Le Gris being favored over him with his wife's revelation being the final straw. Driver is commanding as Carrouges fellow squire and persuasive friend Le Gris, who becomes instantly smitten with Marguerite. He continues to demonstrate his fearlessness in playing toxic, villainous men with his performance here being no exception. Comer gives a restrained yet excellent performance as Carrouges wife Marguerite, with her character shown as remaining resolute in accusing Jacques of rape while her accusation goes into question. With the supporting roles given, Ben Affleck both impresses and surprises as the slimy Count Pierre d' Alencon, whose named Jean's overlord by King Charles VI. When it comes to Duel's cast, everyone gives highly commendable work that adds a tremendous amount of realism to the story. With Damon and Driver's performances, the audience gets a genuine feel of the growing tension between the two knights which resulted in a gruesome duel that changed France's legal system.
In terms of directing, Scott gives the production the same epic feel that was prevalent in Gladiator while adding a personal feel to it with the main characters arc. The film is wonderfully shot with its cinematography giving it a bleak look. The score carries an orchestral feel to it, which appropriately fits the films setting while not being bound to a single instrumental sound. The films authenticity is further heightened by its costume and set-design accurately depicting the stories medieval era. With its production values, Scott presents Duel's story as appearing grand in scope while adding brief snippets of gore during the films battle scenes to enhance their brutality with the climactic fight being extremely brutal to watch, along with multiple scenes showing Marguerite's rape as being uneasy for the audience to watch.
Co-written by Damon and Affleck, The Last Duel's script explores themes regarding toxic masculinity which the climactic fight represents, the notion that women were viewed as being property at the time, the exploring of gender roles with Marguerite being ordered to obey her husband by remaining at home while he's off fighting along with providing a suitable heir, and the humiliation that her character feels as friends end up disbelieving her story and insinuating that she had an affair with Le Gris instead of it being rape. Duel's script explores the dynamics of what a woman's role was viewed as being back then, while showing people's disregard towards accusations regarding sexual misconduct. What the film does which proves to be an interesting twist, is exploring the story from the perspective of all three main characters with the audience seeing the same events unfold through the eyes of each character. Although this makes the overall story-structure feel repetitive, it conveys the systemic misogyny that women endured at the time. The audience also sees that neither men are noble in terms of how they treat Marguerite with LeGris not only raping her but Jean aggressively questioning her claim and ordering her to have sex with him afterwards so that LeGris won't be the last man she's been with. The tension between the two men is shown to be steadily rising as Carrouges becomes more frustrated as the things promised to him regarding property and stature are given to Jacques instead. Duel's script is one that's complexed yet smartly written in its revealing of how women were neglected and mistreated by men.
Despite the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood, it feels like Duel's story is becoming rarer to find as modern Cinema becomes more franchise and comic book driven. With its plot, Scott and the writers show not just the villainization of women but also the power of a woman's voice with them doing an exceptionally good job at doing so. For its intended audience, The Last Duel satisfies as an underappreciated piece of entertainment that showcases Ridley Scott's continuous skill at crafting a slow-moving yet effective but screen drama that's grand in scope and rich in character development.
Final Verdict: Worth Watching for those who enjoy historical set-pieces, though beware of its slow pacing.
Images Courtesy Of 20th Century Studios
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