The Last Duel (2021) - SPOILER-FREE Review
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Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
Starring: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck
Runtime: 153 min
Synopsis: A cinematic and thought-provoking drama set in the midst of the Hundred Years War that explores the ubiquitous power of men, the frailty of justice and the strength and courage of one woman willing to stand alone in the service of truth.
People often use the word "epic" to describe massive blockbusters with mind-blowing visuals and a chill-inducing score - the most recent example being Dune. However, epic films aren't bound to a specific genre. These are usually large-scale, big-budget spectacles with immersive technical aspects, but some of these characteristics have several variations and exceptions. Ridley Scott - iconic director responsible for the making of classics such as Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator - takes on a true historical event and turns it into one of my favorite movies of the year.
The Last Duel boasts plenty of traits that justify that "epic" stamp. It's a gorgeous-looking film with award-winning people behind the different technical departments. While the costume design (Janty Yates) was already expected to be wonderful, Dariusz Wolski's (News of the World) impeccable cinematography elevates the incredibly realistic, accurate production design (Arthur Max) by showing the phenomenal sets in all their splendor through wide pans. Most of the movie was shot in real locations, creating a jaw-dropping resemblance to the XIV century. Scott's attention to detail and experience in handling titanic projects generate a genuinely immersive cinematic experience.
Taking every technical element into consideration, it's hard not to choose Harry Gregson-Williams' (Mulan) perfectly medieval score as the standout. Not only because it sounds great but also due to its impact on the understanding of the narrative. Screenwriters Nicole Holofcener (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), Ben Affleck (Zack Snyder's Justice League), and Matt Damon (Ford v Ferrari) implement a perspective-based structure where each act is "the truth according to" each main character. This means the audience will watch the same story unfold differently depending on whose POV they're following.
Gregson-Williams' music accompanies the narrative nuances seamlessly, almost making the viewers feel that each act is something completely unique. Here lie the best and worst attributes of the film. On one hand, Scott commits to the narrative structure and takes it as close to its maximum potential as possible, which I have to congratulate him on. Most of the changes made from one POV to the next are intriguing, compelling, and add a lot to the overall plot and character arcs. A few are even funny, something I didn't quite anticipate as the movie progressed.
On the other hand, there's the evident, inevitable issue of repeating sequences without offering an impactful modification to anything. While every perspective has unique scenes that belong solely to that character, the vast majority of each individual tale is another depiction of the transversal story that the viewer sees at least twice, if not across all three sections. Having this in mind, the two-hour-and-a-half duration feels a tad stretched out, but Scott controls the steady pacing well enough for the audience to not lose focus.
Nevertheless, in the end, The Last Duel is a character-driven story at its core. Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) portrays Jacques Le Gris, an imposing man who gets every woman he desires due to his irresistible charm and intellectual knowledge, at least from his own viewpoint. Favored by Count Pierre d'Alençon - exceptionally represented by an undistinguishable Affleck - Le Gris wears his womanizer personality with pride. Driver demonstrates insane range and incorporates the apparent nobility with such perfection that the actor could very well be an actual Knight from the 1300s.
Matt Damon interprets Jean de Carrouges as a brave, relentless, temperamental warrior who believes he deserves more respect and recognition for his sacrifices and honorable displays in battle. While Carrouges is far from the perfect husband he idealizes himself to be, he's still a "better guy" than the vast majority of men from that period. With the fear of being misinterpreted, I must leave this clear: I'm not defending or denying Carrouges' aggressive acts towards his wife! Every man treated his wife(s) with disdain since they were seen as objects with zero rights and heir-focused duties.
However, putting everything into context - including awful domestic abuse situations that happen today (!) - Carrouges is one of the "least bad" husbands a woman could get during that century. Damon delivers a remarkable performance, but the star of the show is undoubtedly Jodie Comer (Free Guy). Any adjective other than "commanding" doesn't seem right to describe such a powerful display. I acknowledge her already outstanding reputation in the television realm, but before this year, the actress wasn't really known across film theaters around the globe…
Comer offers one of the most emotional, challenging performances of the year. The Last Duel approaches heavy themes and develops them in an often shocking, hard-to-witness manner. If watching a rape scene is extremely complicated, imagine seeing it twice from both perspectives. The power of men and the helplessness of women depicted in the movie still carry a strong, meaningful message to the present, sadly more timely than it should. Scott never loses sight of the real story - the truth - and, by the end, Marguerite de Carrouges is the one people will remember.
In a time where movements like Me Too didn't exist, Marguerite stepped up, and her attitude remains incredibly relevant. I only wish she got more screentime than the other two leading men. Finally, without spoiling the outcome of the film, the actual duel is surprisingly satisfying. There are some occasional war sequences throughout the movie, all well-shot with tremendous brutality. However, the bloody, tense, suspenseful, long battle between the two male protagonists will leave viewers on the edge of their seats, afraid at every turn that the ending doesn't follow their favorite route.
Final Thoughts
The Last Duel became one of my favorite Ridley Scott films, boasting a commanding Jodie Comer who delivers one of the year's most emotionally powerful performances. Adam Driver, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck all offer remarkable interpretations, but the actress fully embodies Marguerite de Carrouges' courage amid so much pain and suffering in a theme-heavy, brutally shocking true story. The perspective-based narrative structure is interesting and efficient enough to overcome its inevitable repeatability issues. Holding technical attributes that will surely get recognition in the awards season - especially Harry Gregson-Williams’ score - the actual duel is one of the most nerve-wracking sequences of the last few years, compensating the audience's patience with a satisfying climax. Watch it on the big screen, if possible.
