Directed by:
David LoweryScreenplay:
David LoweryCinematography:
Andrew Droz PalermoComposer:
Daniel HartCast:
Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Barry Keoghan, Erin Kellyman, Ralph Ineson, Anthony Morris, Noelle Brown (more)VOD (1)
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An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur's reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table. (A24)
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Reviews (9)
Studio A24 serves up a medieval historical fantasy based on Arthurian legends that is definitely not for everyone, but I was captivated by its visuals and acting. I usually hate artsy and slow films, but A24 does them with style and, surprisingly, I wasn't bored for a moment, though of course I'd rather have an epic fantasy carnage than a slow road movie about heroism, cowardice and a knight's quest. The film definitely impresses with the cinematography, scenery and visuals, it's all so beautiful that at times you want to pause it and take a screenshot of what you're seeing. Dev Patel is excellent, and I enjoyed a lot the supporting characters that pop up throughout his journey: Sean Harris, Barry Keoghan, Alicia Vikander, and Joel Edgerton; they all act damn well, and the accent was a joy to listen to. I was a bit disappointed with the finale. I was hoping for a more action packed passage at least there, but A24 goes its own way. I have a soft spot for the early Middle Ages and thanks to the actors and the visuals I was able to enjoy it, but I'd guess a lot of my friends will be cursing. Story 4/5, Action 1/5, Humor 0/5, Violence 1/5, Fun 3/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 5/5, Atmosphere 4/5, Suspense 2/5, Emotion 3/5. 7/10.
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Watching The Green Knight, my mind often wandered to Robert Eggers's The Witch, which also tried to spice up typical genre expectations and was atmospherically close to David Lowery's film. The Green Knight is an artistic affair with all the pros and cons that come with it. It is an audiovisually captivating film, full of metaphors and symbolism, but one that is very challenging to watch, both in terms of narrative devices and the gradual build-up of the plot. Anyone who has ever read a heroic epic will recognise that Lowery's film is similarly constructed: a young (almost) knight embarks on a heroic quest to win honour (and, at the cost of his own life, even immortality), meeting various characters who, in a fashion, shape and test him along the way. I'm on the fence about rating between three and four stars. The film was very nice to watch, but it was also a challenge. Well, better three stars!
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A visual feast for the eyes with an inspiring message, which is worth waiting for. In his retelling of the poem about Sir Gawain, Lowery doesn’t hurry anywhere and lets the beauty of nature shine on through. He frequently baffles the viewers and throws them into confusing situations which may or may not be hallucinations, magic or a figment of the hero’s imagination. Dev Patel acts extremely well, both in the position of the cowardly show-off and the pensive hero looking for his place in the world. Alicia Vikander is fascinating in her role of an alluring hostess and temptress, Edgerton is unexpectedly enigmatic, amused almost. Diversions from the original material are a breath of fresh air and allowing them to address a wide variety of topics. Not everybody will like it. There are no action scenes, and some storylines are minor without huge impact on the story, but they inspire thought. A resonating movie. Remember, it is only a game.
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Even though it's more of an allegory than a straightforward story, I found this film fascinating. We could endlessly debate the casting of Dev Patel, an Indian actor, in a medieval fantasy lead role. But honestly, he looks so fantastic in this gritty world that he fits right in. Visually stunning and sonically mesmerizing, it's a wild ride. For over two hours, I was captivated, often puzzled, yet thoroughly enchanted. It may be a bit of a trip, but it delivered everything I hoped for and more.
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A person is a social creature and as such is forced to play social roles practically throughout their entire life. Denying them brings misunderstanding, isolation, and contempt from others. We are simply much less free than we think in our pride. The protagonist of the film, Gawain, is not an exemplary knight - in fact, he doesn't even aspire to that position and knightly virtues are somewhat meaningless to him. However, when confronted with the royal court and the wishes of the royal majesty himself, he commits an act out of zeal that signifies the end of his previous life. David Lowery dismisses fans of commercial fantasy fairy tales and maliciously strips his film of all the usual genre elements that audiences enjoy in such productions. Instead, he serves a slow, visually embellished journey of his hero in pursuit of fulfilling his destiny. It's a journey where Lowery systematically tears down Gawain and deprives him of any nobility and heroism. In return, he makes him deeply human and, as shown in the final confrontation with the Green Knight, willing to accept his fate. I saw the film as part of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival late in the evening, which didn't do me any favors, as I struggled to stay awake. Due to the intimate nature of the work, I couldn't avoid a few micro-naps, which cost it a star. An afternoon screening might have propelled The Green Knight to the highest rating, as the director made a positive impression on me. I would reward it with 80% and recommend seeing the film, ideally on the big screen where its visuals shine.
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