Did anyone noticed at the very end the construction of Notre Dame church? It took 300 years to finish!!😳 I appreciated the details in scenes like eating and making stuff
To be honest, I was hyped for Dune from the first trailer, but in the last 3 years or so I've become a huge Jodie Comer fan. So I was even more hyped for The Last Duel and after seeing it once, I will certainly see it a second time (at least) at the theater. However I will likely see Dune before my second viewing of The Last Duel.
Gladiator is probably my pick overall for my favorite movie of his. The emotional weight that it has behind it is unrivaled in most cases. But the most fun I've ever had in a movie was in the Martian.
Watched the movie last night... Good movie...story telling style is unique..we are watching in each of character's view..But when I watched gladiator or troy in my childhood not like that...liked your review..
Saw the movie last night, and I pretty much agree with your assessment of the film. I found it to be a thoughtful and engaging piece of work despite its length. Not only did it have a lot to say about misogyny back in those times, but it also was quite effective in portraying the risks and perception of women that come out with sexual assault allegations. Better than Promising Young Woman? Eh, I think both get the message across in their own, distinct way, but The Last Duel presents its case in a manner that allows the audience to come to their own conclusion. The plot structure was critical in conveying that message, and I agree that it was largely responsible for keeping me invested in its story throughout its lengthy runtime. As far as the acting goes, I wholeheartedly agree with you on Jodie Comer's performance. I didn't know who she was, and haven't seen anything else she was in, but I was blown away by her performance. Great acting is not always based on what is said, but also what is not said, and there are many moments in the film where you can simply feel what her character is going through just by looking at her eyes. Adam Driver was solid throughout, and agree that he definitely had the look for that time period. However, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, while adequate, never really sold me on their performances. Honestly, I think they were miscast, and seeing them together was especially distracting given their BFF relationship in real life. I feel someone like Oscar Isaac and Leonardo DiCaprio would've been better choices. Finally, I just wanted to comment on the cinematography and the action. I didn't think either were very impressive. The look of the film is just so.....grey. I don't understand why that time period demands pictures to be shot in such a dull, monochromatic way. It's predictable, and tiring to be honest. Braveheart had more color than this film! The action, meanwhile, was not as effective as you make it out to be. Was it brutal? Sure, if you count blood splatters and squishy sound effects as a means to convey brutality, but the way the action was shot was something I always had a problem with Ridley Scott's films. The myriad of quick cuts and close ups of the action really did a disservice to conveying the brutality of medieval warfare back then, as did the pace of these fights. I highly doubt knights were able to wield these weapons with such speed and efficiency as portrayed in The Last Duel, but here they handle them as if they were weightless. Furthermore, when the "last duel" was not hampered by its quick pace, you had an unnecessary slo-motion sequence of the two of them fighting that went on far too long. For a second, I thought I was watching a duel shot by John Woo! Apart from that, I really enjoyed the film, and agree that everyone should see it. It's an important film that has a lot to say about society today despite it being a period piece, and it may even be more effective because of it; the fact that some things just never change. It was refreshing to see this film after the slog that was No Time to Die last week.
I'm kind of interested in seeing this film because of the performers. Looking back on the films I've seen of Ridley's (Gladiator, American Gangster), I hope we end up on the good (Gladiator was good).
It can't be worse than _'The Green Knight'_ adaptation... As far as 2021 Medieval period films/stories from age old source material and/or history - _minus 'The Green Knight' fantasy aspects_ - *here's hoping that **_'The Last Duel'_** and A24's **_'The Tragedy of Macbeth'_** (starring Denzel Washington) have more gravitas, more impressive scripts, cinematography, greater depth, richer dialogue & acting performances, and altogether more indelible components.*
Haha...A resounding "Yes!" I just watched *_'The Last Duel'_* tonight and it was _exceedingly_ more immersive & fulfilling _(on every level, and in scope)_ than something like that over-hyped, underwhelming, 'The Green Knight' bs. My enjoyment of *_'The Last Duel'_* now has me looking forward to, and hoping the best in regard to, A24's *_'The Tragedy of Macbeth'_* .
@@BrandoCritic The usual rank and rate of advancement is 7-14 Page; 14-21 Squire; 21 Knight. If they are of higher Nobility, they would receive that instead of Knight.
@@BrandoCritic Yes sir. They were Squires first and then Knights later. In all reality, one of these (Matt Damon) was probably a Baron and the other (Adam Driver) a Knight. I've not seen the movie (yet) or read the book (yet), but I have studied history for the last 30+ years and am a Knight myself. Anyway, thanks for the review :-)
I gotta say, having seen the movie, while I can definitely say I liked it, I don't think I am a fan of the different PoVs in this movie at all. The technique of having multiple narrators is to highlight each of their characters, while telling slight variations on the same series of events to put the audience in a sort of apprehensive position wherre they don't know who to trust, like in Rashomon. SPOILER ALERT But The Last Duel explicitly calls Margherite's version "the truth", which completely undercuts the previous two sections. Not only that, but it robs the male leads of any and all sympathetic traits they might have had (which may have been intentional; and that would have been a real shame if it was). Not only that, but Margherite's version doesn't give us a new series of events, it confirms the events we had already seen in Jean's version, while giving us the new perspective of Margherite, which mostly shifts our understanding of Jean and his motivations, not the events as they transpired. This undercuts Jaques' version of events even more and leaves Margherite as the only "good" character in the movie (not only ethically, but also from a narrative standpoint, she tells the true version of events). All of this kind of undermines the film's themes about how history is written by the victor, because it lacks the ambiguity necessary to really make such a claim and then not sound hypocritical (again, Margherite's version completely eliminates and ignores any and all positive traits of the two male leads) Then again, it's nigh impossible to write a film about something like women's role in medieval europe and present the parts on equal sides. So I think the film should've stuck with it's themes regarding women's roles more and keep the "Victor tells the tale" themes more in the background
I know this isn’t going to be Gladiator 2 but I’m still excited. Seems interesting.
It's VERY good!
The last duel is an 8/10, gladiator is 11/10
Did anyone noticed at the very end the construction of Notre Dame church? It took 300 years to finish!!😳 I appreciated the details in scenes like eating and making stuff
Yeah! Super cool to see!
I've been really looking forward to this movie. Everyone is hyped for Dune but I'm just here waiting to see The Last Duel 😂
I cannot speak for Dune yet, but The Last Duel was REALLY good!
Maybe...
To be honest, I was hyped for Dune from the first trailer, but in the last 3 years or so I've become a huge Jodie Comer fan. So I was even more hyped for The Last Duel and after seeing it once, I will certainly see it a second time (at least) at the theater. However I will likely see Dune before my second viewing of The Last Duel.
Thank you for the movie review reaction! Don't know if I'll watch it or not. Gladiator of course!
It's worth it!
Gladiator is probably my pick overall for my favorite movie of his. The emotional weight that it has behind it is unrivaled in most cases. But the most fun I've ever had in a movie was in the Martian.
Good choices Andrew!
I was on the fence about seeing this movie but now I think I might give it a shot. Great review mate
Thank you so much John!
I just got home after seeing this. I highly recommend it. Very well worth the time!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The systematic sexism and misogyny is STILL pretty damn thick in this wicked system.
Sure, but I would say that we have come a long way since those times
Watched the movie last night... Good movie...story telling style is unique..we are watching in each of character's view..But when I watched gladiator or troy in my childhood not like that...liked your review..
Thank you!
Saw the movie last night, and I pretty much agree with your assessment of the film. I found it to be a thoughtful and engaging piece of work despite its length. Not only did it have a lot to say about misogyny back in those times, but it also was quite effective in portraying the risks and perception of women that come out with sexual assault allegations. Better than Promising Young Woman? Eh, I think both get the message across in their own, distinct way, but The Last Duel presents its case in a manner that allows the audience to come to their own conclusion. The plot structure was critical in conveying that message, and I agree that it was largely responsible for keeping me invested in its story throughout its lengthy runtime.
As far as the acting goes, I wholeheartedly agree with you on Jodie Comer's performance. I didn't know who she was, and haven't seen anything else she was in, but I was blown away by her performance. Great acting is not always based on what is said, but also what is not said, and there are many moments in the film where you can simply feel what her character is going through just by looking at her eyes. Adam Driver was solid throughout, and agree that he definitely had the look for that time period. However, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, while adequate, never really sold me on their performances. Honestly, I think they were miscast, and seeing them together was especially distracting given their BFF relationship in real life. I feel someone like Oscar Isaac and Leonardo DiCaprio would've been better choices.
Finally, I just wanted to comment on the cinematography and the action. I didn't think either were very impressive. The look of the film is just so.....grey. I don't understand why that time period demands pictures to be shot in such a dull, monochromatic way. It's predictable, and tiring to be honest. Braveheart had more color than this film! The action, meanwhile, was not as effective as you make it out to be. Was it brutal? Sure, if you count blood splatters and squishy sound effects as a means to convey brutality, but the way the action was shot was something I always had a problem with Ridley Scott's films. The myriad of quick cuts and close ups of the action really did a disservice to conveying the brutality of medieval warfare back then, as did the pace of these fights. I highly doubt knights were able to wield these weapons with such speed and efficiency as portrayed in The Last Duel, but here they handle them as if they were weightless. Furthermore, when the "last duel" was not hampered by its quick pace, you had an unnecessary slo-motion sequence of the two of them fighting that went on far too long. For a second, I thought I was watching a duel shot by John Woo!
Apart from that, I really enjoyed the film, and agree that everyone should see it. It's an important film that has a lot to say about society today despite it being a period piece, and it may even be more effective because of it; the fact that some things just never change. It was refreshing to see this film after the slog that was No Time to Die last week.
Wow! Thank you so much for the insight!
What did you guys think of The Last Duel?
Have you seen Rashomon? This movie took some inspiration from it
I have not!
Body of Lies is a good one
I didn't like it
Great review. I also would give this a 4 out of 5. Solid film. I do feel some won’t like it the way it was advertised.
I think so too. Or people who complain about "woke" stuff
looks very interesting. thank you for the review
You're welcome!
I'm kind of interested in seeing this film because of the performers. Looking back on the films I've seen of Ridley's (Gladiator, American Gangster), I hope we end up on the good (Gladiator was good).
This is a great one William! Hope you like it!
Great review, Brandon!
Thank you!
History.. his story..
Oh nice! Didn't even piece that together
Nice reaction! Keep it up 👍
Thank you! Will do!
My dad has been dying to see this movie, this review makes me more excited
That's awesome! I hope you love it!
It can't be worse than _'The Green Knight'_ adaptation...
As far as 2021 Medieval period films/stories from age old source material and/or history - _minus 'The Green Knight' fantasy aspects_ - *here's hoping that **_'The Last Duel'_** and A24's **_'The Tragedy of Macbeth'_** (starring Denzel Washington) have more gravitas, more impressive scripts, cinematography, greater depth, richer dialogue & acting performances, and altogether more indelible components.*
I definitely like this more!
Haha...A resounding "Yes!"
I just watched *_'The Last Duel'_* tonight and it was _exceedingly_ more immersive & fulfilling _(on every level, and in scope)_ than something like that over-hyped, underwhelming, 'The Green Knight' bs.
My enjoyment of *_'The Last Duel'_* now has me looking forward to, and hoping the best in regard to, A24's *_'The Tragedy of Macbeth'_* .
Not Squires...Knights...they even say in the trailer "Knights, take your places"
They were Squires first thought weren't they?
@@BrandoCritic The usual rank and rate of advancement is 7-14 Page; 14-21 Squire; 21 Knight. If they are of higher Nobility, they would receive that instead of Knight.
Soooooo they were Squires first... and then Knights... right?
@@BrandoCritic Yes sir. They were Squires first and then Knights later.
In all reality, one of these (Matt Damon) was probably a Baron and the other (Adam Driver) a Knight.
I've not seen the movie (yet) or read the book (yet), but I have studied history for the last 30+ years and am a Knight myself.
Anyway, thanks for the review :-)
Thanks John
The Last Duel is a good film.
it is indeed!
Solid A
Absolutely!
I gotta say, having seen the movie, while I can definitely say I liked it, I don't think I am a fan of the different PoVs in this movie at all. The technique of having multiple narrators is to highlight each of their characters, while telling slight variations on the same series of events to put the audience in a sort of apprehensive position wherre they don't know who to trust, like in Rashomon. SPOILER ALERT
But The Last Duel explicitly calls Margherite's version "the truth", which completely undercuts the previous two sections. Not only that, but it robs the male leads of any and all sympathetic traits they might have had (which may have been intentional; and that would have been a real shame if it was). Not only that, but Margherite's version doesn't give us a new series of events, it confirms the events we had already seen in Jean's version, while giving us the new perspective of Margherite, which mostly shifts our understanding of Jean and his motivations, not the events as they transpired. This undercuts Jaques' version of events even more and leaves Margherite as the only "good" character in the movie (not only ethically, but also from a narrative standpoint, she tells the true version of events).
All of this kind of undermines the film's themes about how history is written by the victor, because it lacks the ambiguity necessary to really make such a claim and then not sound hypocritical (again, Margherite's version completely eliminates and ignores any and all positive traits of the two male leads)
Then again, it's nigh impossible to write a film about something like women's role in medieval europe and present the parts on equal sides. So I think the film should've stuck with it's themes regarding women's roles more and keep the "Victor tells the tale" themes more in the background
Thanks for the insight