Tales of knights and dragons, Kings and Princesses, have enthralled audiences for centuries now, with the epic sword fights, shining armor, and tales of bravery sparking imaginations in kids and adults alike. Most of us associate the genre with excitement and adrenaline while character examination follows behind it. A new film from A24 brings the psychological aspects of what it takes to become valiant to the forefront by adapting a classic English poem for the big screen.
In The Green Knight, Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, 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.
The Green Knight is one of the most faithful original source to film adaptations that you could possibly see, which is as sure to polarize many viewers as it is to satisfy purists. The film’s story is extremely dense and chock full of direct recreations and nods to the 14th century poem that make the difficulty of fully processing and digesting the material heightened for casual viewers and/or those who are unfamiliar with its origin. Coupled with the decreased accessibility is the deliberate, slower paced storytelling employed by director David Lowery that emphasizes the psychological aspects of Gawain’s journey rather than any sword fighting that the average audience goer has come to expect from a knight’s tale. At points, the film can feel like a slog to watch as we try to understand the thick subtext as its characters quietly and methodically deal with the intellectual aspects of its story.
Despite its sometimes glacial pace, the film’s theme of self discovery and display of a young man struggling to find himself and his purpose in life is conveyed well as Gawain’s character arc lands well and manages to grab you somewhat despite the story’s lack of explosive excitement. In Gawain, we see a young man seeking understanding of himself and his place in the world, ultimately deciding who he wishes to be once he reaches the end of his journey. The film’s climax involves a Last Temptation of Christ-style flashback that is completely sans dialogue and beautifully constructed and executed, putting to screen the ultimate choice he must make about his life and future. It’s somewhat of a payoff although it may not completely satisfy all in the audience. It does however encapsulate much of what The Green Knight is; highly artistic and simultaneously not for everyone.
If the big screen is the figurative canvas of a director and cinematographer, then it is appropriate to describe nearly every scene in The Green Knight as a painting. The film’s cinematography may end the year as the best to hit the screen, hitting all of the elements that make a movie standout visually. Lowery and director of photography Andrew Droz Palermo’s use of light, color, and staging give the film a classical art feel to match its Olde English setting. The film’s transitions match the rest of its visual flair with director employing an array of creative, eye popping match cuts.
The dense, slow moving story at the center of The Green Knight owes the vast majority of any intrigue and investment that it engenders in the audience to Dev Patel’s strong performance as its lead actor. Patel acts in the film with the gravitas and presence of a stage actor in all of the positive aspects that that statement entails. His turn as Gawain imparts all of the emotions involved in his arduous journey of self discovery from the doubt, fear, confusion, and resolve as Gawain aims to find his purpose. Patel is supremely empathetic in the role and while the film moves slowly, he’s able to use his skill as an actor to pique curiosity in where the character ultimately ends up.
The Green Knight is beautifully shot and well written and although it’s not the most accessible film, there’s no denying its craftsmanship despite the fact it won’t connect with all. Dev Patel shows off his acting chops and ability to evoke feeling in an audience even when the material he’s working with handicaps this effort somewhat. Both the film and his performance bode well for his continued success on the big screen. For those who are devoted faithful to English folklore or who love highly artistic film, this one is worthy of knighthood. For the more casual filmgoer, it may be a tougher watch.
Image: A24
