Is it just me, or is anyone else prone to spontaneous cinematic inspiration? I have left many movie theaters with a brand new career aspiration: ballet dancer, figure skater, and F.B.I. agent, just to name a few.
Now, I want to joust.
A Knight's Tale, written and directed by Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Payback), takes a sword to any preconceptions the viewer might have about Medieval times, and knocks you right off your horse (or, rather, out of your seat).
This is not a period piece about the 1300s. The audience is made very aware of the modernizing fantasy twist Helgeland brings to his world from one of the very first scenes.
When his knight is killed, the squire William Thatcher, played by up-and-coming Heath Ledger (The Patriot, 10 Things I Hate About You) has an idea. William decides to don his knight's armor and compete in the joust himself.
William mounts the horse and "boom-boom-clap! Boom-boom clap!" — Queen's "We Will Rock You" barrels its way on film. But the song is far from just a beat in the background. The thousands of spectators in the great jousting arena are actually performing the famous pounding and clapping and everyone is lip-synching the words as "We Will Rock You" carries you away into A Knight's Tale.
Now, classic rock in a movie about knights and jousting? Come on! But somehow, it works. It really works. The score had me smiling broader and sillier than any dancing or skating movie could.
The comedic performances in A Knight's Tale are another strength of the film that convince the viewer to believe in the world Helgeland has created. William's fellow squires Wat (Alan Tudyk) and Roland (Mark Addy) are delightful as William's supporters when he decides to pose as a knight following that first winning joust.
After a classically slapstick jousting practice in which I had to keep myself from dancing in my seat to "Lowrider" (War), the trio finds the next member of their crew, a naked, trudging man named Geoff Chaucer (Paul Bettany). If you recognize the name (read: if you go to class every now and again), you'll appreciate the character even more, as he plays William's funny, clever herald.
Bettany has true movie star quality. In addition to being a fantastic comedian, he had an amazing screen presence, demanding attention with his captivating, contagious personality that shines through the role.
It is William's life-long dream to be a knight, even though he is missing one prerequisite — knights must be of noble birth. But that's not a problem for this bunch as they fabricate a royal family for William and turn him into "Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland."
Other major players in the tale include the unattainable princess (newcomer Shannyn Sossamon) and the seemingly undefeatable villain/jousting opponent (Rufus Sewell). After the excitement of William's first few jousts and sword fights, the movie takes a bit of a dramatic turn that drags in comparison to the beginning. And while there are definitely some fresh elements in the story, it remains formulaic.
Just when I started to appreciate William's quest to not only win the jousts, but also to establish himself in the world, the predictable thematic unfolding bordered on tiresome.
But to some extent, predictability is OK in a movie that doesn't set out to get you thinking seriously or to stump you. A Knight's Tale has a lot to offer in other realms of movie viewing — entertainment and aesthetic pleasure.
A Knight's Tale (PG-13, opening nationwide on May 11) is visually stunning, refreshing, funny and sweet. And the best part is, it's what a summer movie should be. I am left with but one question.
Where might I go to buy some vintage armor?
