King Arthur's headstrong nephew embarks on a
daring quest to confront the Green Knight, a mysterious giant who appears at
Camelot. Risking his head, he sets off on an epic adventure to prove himself
before his family and court.
Director: David Lowery
Cast: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel
Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson
Release Date:
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Rated R for violence, some sexuality and
graphic nudity
Runtime: 2 h 10 min
Review:
David Lowery’s deconstructed Arthurian tale
is a methodical pensive take that’s moody and visually stunning. Lowery’s film isn’t going to be for everyone
since his pacing is deliberately slow as he lets visual and moments linger on
screen for an extended amount of time. Everything
moves at a slow simmer allowing the thematic meaning to seep into your
mind. It’s the opposite of a blockbuster
film since it asks you actively digest what’s being presented on screen. Dev
Patel leads the film ably in a understated but thoughtful turn as Sir Gawain as
he tackles destiny and life during his journey. Patel’s dialogue is sparse but
he communicates a books worth of emotions via his eyes. The supporting cast is equally effective with
Alicia Vikander making the biggest impression in a duel role one of which
leaves her nearly unrecognizable. David Lowery’s film fits nicely next to John
Boorman’s classic Excalibur and much like that film it’s a visual feast that
will leave you thinking about it long after the film is over.
A-