A KNIGHT'S TALE
A Columbia Pictures release 

review by Joseph B. Mauceri

SYNOPSIS: As a young lad, William Thatcher is told by his father that he can change the stars. In hopes of giving his son a better life, James places young William in the care of a knight. Years later the Knight dies during a joust, and William takes his place in hopes of winning the tournament and finance his two companions, Roland and Wat, next meal and passage home. William's victory rekindles his dream, that a commoner could become a knight and change the stars. However, in order to compete in a tournament he must have papers. Their prayers are answered when they find a naked "Jeff" Chaucer walking along the road. Jeff may have a way with words, but is not so lucky when it comes to games of chance. Along the way William attracts the attention of a princess and villainous knight. Can William defeat the villain, get the princess and possible change the stars to become a real knight?

REVIEW: We've grown so use to over produced car chase scenes and insane shootout sequences (cops-&-robbers) that our initial response to a film about knights, princesses and action stage on horseback is to quickly dismiss it as tired. Director/writer/producer Brian Helgeland takes those classic elements and injects some new life into it. Using a classic Chaucer tale as a point of reference, he finds the themes that still hold sway with a contemporary audience and kicks it up a notch with a rock'n roll score. I really didn't know what to think when I first heard about the music, but seeing the opening sequence with the tournament crowd rocking out to Queen's "We Will Rock You" brought a smile to my face and hooked me.

The musical score is a nice touch, but Helgeland also works the camera to create some great jousting sequences. There's action, intensity and you can feel the pain. Hey it may not be "The Matrix," but audiences will surely be drawn into the physical demands of the drama. The taps into the raw intensity of live events like demolition derbies, roller derbies and "professional" football (not the XFL).

While A KNIGHT'S TALE offers something for the guys, it has Heath Ledger for the women. He this guy not only looks good on camera, but he's a talented young star. True, Ledger has the hustle and muscle to make the film work, he is support in his physical efforts by a great ensemble cast. There is chemistry between Ledger Addy, Tudyk, Bettany and Fraser that adds a bit of a "buddy picture" feel to it, almost a "Lethal Weapon" on horse back.

The weakest part of the film is the romance. Newcomer Shannyn Sossamon has that runway model look, but simply doesn't have the screen presence yet to make her a leading lady. The nicest thing I can say is that she doesn't detract from the film. In contrast, the story of the relationship between William and his father could have been superficial, yet Helgeland makes it bitter sweet. 

A KNIGHT'S TALE has "all the right stuff" to make it satisfyingly, entertaining and just what the summer box office calls for. It never takes itself too seriously. Hey, it's about guys on horseback charging each other with sticks. A KNIGHT'S TALE is an excellent underdog film that offers a rousing good time, in the tradition of films from "Rocky" to "Star Wars."

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
http://www.spe.sony.com/movies/aknightstale

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