The Last Duel - Review

The Last Duel (2021)

The Last Duel is Ridley Scott's latest medieval set masterpiece which follows the true story of a French Knight named Jean de Carrouges who is routinely aggrieved by Jacques Le' Gris (Adam Driver) and his overseer Count Pierre d'Alencon (Ben Affleck). The medieval setting, which I am currently obsessed with, definitely helped my enjoyment of this.

The filmmaking decision to see this one story told from three varied perspectives was a brilliant choice for this gut wrenching historical epic. Not only did this allow the audience the opportunity to make up their mind on which was the truth, though Scott points toward one as being the defining narrative, but it also worked to soften the long runtime of the film as many of the events in the movie are repeated such that the audience knows what to expect but is none the less intrigued to see how each character saw the same events differently.

This movie reminded me of the great X Files episode "Bad Blood" wherein the story is told from two different perspectives, those being Dana Scully and Fox Mulder's varied interpretations of the events that transpired during this show. One of the better moments in this particular episode is when Mulder and Scully recount meeting Sheriff Hartwell, played brilliantly by Luke Wilson, who Scully remembers as being a macho southern lawmen, shown above on the right, while Mulder remembers him as being a buck toothed redneck, pictured on the left.

In terms of the cast Matt Damon is great at playing a man hellbent on gaining the respect of his peers with little regard for the welfare of others in matters which do not impact his public image. Damon is brilliant at playing an empathetic version of himself whom the audience feels for as he is wronged in life over and over while also doing a great job later in the movie when his true nature is revealed and he is depicted as a despicable man who puts his pride first and foremost.

Adam Driver is perfect at embodying the permanently intense antagonist to Damon who he is constantly butting heads with even after he tries at times to defend Damon's character in front of Affleck. Driver gives a varied performance with much nuance such that while he may at appear to be a heinous villain there is also a measured side to him that is almost heroic especially in the climax of the film where his true motivations are revealed.

Jodie Comer is outstanding here as well especially at subtly changing her performance throughout the three different versions of the story the audience is presented with. Even though it takes a while for her to become the main character of the film she is so great in this role that when this change occurs in the third act the audience is fully behind her rooting for her to succeed.

Ben Affleck is also great in this where he plays the eccentric benefactor and friend, perhaps with benefits, of Adam Driver. From the blonde hair to the exaggerated mannerisms this was a great performance from one of the leading action stars in Hollywood playing against type which I appreciated.

Ridley Scott is the master of historical epics and does not disappoint here. From the natural lighting, grand set pieces, and angelic medieval soundtrack, this is a fantastic movie both in terms of form and content. Cannot recommend this masterpiece enough!

Here is the trailer for The Last Duel: