Film Review: The Last Duel

Based on the true story behind the last legally sanctioned duel, The Last Duel, is the latest from Ridley Scott, a period drama with action elements, taking place in France with the backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War. It follows Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), a knight based in Normandy, who finds himself facing a dilemma as his young wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer) claims to have been raped by his friend and squire, Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). Enraged by the betrayal and humiliation felt by his wife, Jean challenges Jacques to a trial by combat, a request which is granted by the throne.

Adapted from the book of the same name by Eric Jager, the screenplay comes courtesy of Nicole Holofcener, and the reunion of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as a writing team, many years after winning an Oscar for their work on Good Will Hunting. The film acts as a fascinating writing exercise. It is split into three parts, each focusing on a different perspective, à la Rashomon. The first being “The Truth According To Jean de Carrouges,” the second being “The Truth According To Jacques Le Gris,” and ending with “The Truth According To Marguerite de Carrouges.”

While the film is certainly blunt with its themes, that doesn’t mean it is devoid of nuance. There are some fairly subtle but important differences in each of the three chapters, particularly in how the male characters are portrayed. Most notable being Jean, who we first see as a noble warrior with a kind heart, only for the following chapters to show how big his ego really is. it is within these minor differences that the film finds this darkly comic energy that gives the film momentum and an unabashed eye for entertainment. Which might seem odd given the subject matter, but wholly appropriate given how the film itself is about the shallow, performative circus that often comes with these kinds of accusations on high profile figures. The spectacle of it overshadows any desire for justice.

A story like this requires performances to be on point, and there is no weak link in the entire cast. The leads all do a terrific job in providing three different versions of their characters, each feeling whole and dynamic in and of themselves, and purposeful in its place in the story. But it’s worth noting that Ben Affleck’s turn as Count Pierre d’Alençon is perhaps the most delightful and surprising, as it leans on the comic – borderline campy – undertone of the film, and brings it to the surface. It would feel out of place under a less assured filmmaker, instead it feels like a perfect representation of the macho bravado that the themes are exploring and undermining.

Speaking of, it’s also no surprise that Ridley Scott does wonders with the filmmaking here. It’s the kind of film he can direct in his sleep at this point, he makes it look so easy, creating this immersive and richly detailed environment that serves as his canvas to explore these characters and themes in a grand and epic fashion. I’d say he’s one of the best in the game when it comes to these kinds of big budget movies aimed towards adults, but then again, it’s not like there are many filmmakers aside from Scott who gets the chance to make stuff like this. The sets and costumes are wonderful, the editing from Claire Simpson weaves through the story, and effectively captures different points-of-view in a clear manner for each chapter, and yes, the titular last duel absolutely delivers the goods.

I had a strong feeling that The Last Duel would be good, you got reliable writers and a director tackling a genre he’s dealt with successfully before, but I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. While it may seem odd to talk so highly a film about rape culture that is driven primarily by men, both in terms of the creative side and in the story itself, there is a self-awareness to it that works in the film’s favor, like it is talking directly to the guys in the audience, exploring the patriarchy in a way that speaks to the broader truths about how men in power use and abuse the women in their lives for their own personal gain, and how some will pat themselves on the back for supporting women and victims even though they don’t really put in the work. It’s a thoroughly engaging film; thrilling, haunting, infuriating, provocative, and even hilarious at times. There are moments when the situation as presented goes to ridiculous places, but the sad truth is that it happened, it was a real thing, and what’s even more depressing is that not much has really changed.

 

The Last Duel is now out in theaters.