Historical accuracy? Throw it out the window. There's not much that's going to be historically accurate about this movie set in medieval times but then again I doubt that was a very big concern when the decision came to make this movie. That much is very clear in the first minute of the movie. But if you want to thoroughly enjoy yourself at the movies, then this is the one to go to.
A Knight's Tale is about a young man's desire to better himself by changing his status in society. How you ask? By becoming a knight. It's not just a simple matter of declaring yourself a knight and that's it well actually in this movie it is that simple but there are complications towards then end of the movie but then you probably could have figured that one out without me telling you. William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) is a page to a knight by the name of Sir Ector. By a strange turn of events, we find out that Sir Ector has died not too long before his final match of a tournament. In a panic, William and the other servants of Sir Ector are frantically trying to figure out a solution. They are in desperate need of money just to feed themselves and with nothing to lose, William decides he's going to take Sir Ector's place in the final match. All he has to do is stay on his horse and they win the tournament. So begins the journey of a servant masquerading as a knight. With the help of his friends, William manages to learn how to joust and actually become quite proficient at it. So much so that he becomes the favorite at many tournaments and also the enemy of a Count Adhemar, the undefeated knight at jousting. Throw in some romance, a bunch of crazy characters and some action and you have a fun summer movie.
What I liked most about this movie is that it doesn't take itself very seriously. It's no Monty Python but it is light and humorous and it exudes a charisma that not many movies do. You get a sense that the actors realize this and act for the fun of the situation. Come on, how serious do you think a movie is when they put a Nike symbol on the armor of our hero and the audience is clapping to the beat of a Queen song? I know there are those out there who are going to cringe and criticize at all the inaccuracies but if you're going to be picky, then go watch a documentary.
Heath Ledger is an up and coming young star. I last saw him in The Patriot and thought he did quite a good job opposite Mel Gibson but then again, it's hard not do learn a thing or two from the veteran actor. Heath gets to exercise his comedic skills in this one and does a decent job but much of the comedic credit has to go to the supporting actors, Mark Addy, Paul Bettany and Alan Tudyk. For many of these fellows, this will be their first major Hollywood movie and judging by what I saw, you'll probably see more of them. They were absolutely hilarious especially the bantering that goes on between Bettany and Tudyk's characters. You will probably also begin to see more of Laura Fraser who plays a female blacksmith that eventually becomes part of William's little gang. I previously saw her in Titus (with Anthony Hopkins) and found her good in that movie but it was hard to tell considering how unusual Shakespeare's story was but after this movie, I expect good things from her. The movie turns a bit dramatic towards the end but it works in the context of the movie although I would have liked it more if they kept the lightness through to the end. Don't take this movie seriously or you will have missed its point completely.
Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. It was light, funny and entertaining. A great summer movie!
A Knight's Tale is about a young man's desire to better himself by changing his status in society. How you ask? By becoming a knight. It's not just a simple matter of declaring yourself a knight and that's it well actually in this movie it is that simple but there are complications towards then end of the movie but then you probably could have figured that one out without me telling you. William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) is a page to a knight by the name of Sir Ector. By a strange turn of events, we find out that Sir Ector has died not too long before his final match of a tournament. In a panic, William and the other servants of Sir Ector are frantically trying to figure out a solution. They are in desperate need of money just to feed themselves and with nothing to lose, William decides he's going to take Sir Ector's place in the final match. All he has to do is stay on his horse and they win the tournament. So begins the journey of a servant masquerading as a knight. With the help of his friends, William manages to learn how to joust and actually become quite proficient at it. So much so that he becomes the favorite at many tournaments and also the enemy of a Count Adhemar, the undefeated knight at jousting. Throw in some romance, a bunch of crazy characters and some action and you have a fun summer movie.
What I liked most about this movie is that it doesn't take itself very seriously. It's no Monty Python but it is light and humorous and it exudes a charisma that not many movies do. You get a sense that the actors realize this and act for the fun of the situation. Come on, how serious do you think a movie is when they put a Nike symbol on the armor of our hero and the audience is clapping to the beat of a Queen song? I know there are those out there who are going to cringe and criticize at all the inaccuracies but if you're going to be picky, then go watch a documentary.
Heath Ledger is an up and coming young star. I last saw him in The Patriot and thought he did quite a good job opposite Mel Gibson but then again, it's hard not do learn a thing or two from the veteran actor. Heath gets to exercise his comedic skills in this one and does a decent job but much of the comedic credit has to go to the supporting actors, Mark Addy, Paul Bettany and Alan Tudyk. For many of these fellows, this will be their first major Hollywood movie and judging by what I saw, you'll probably see more of them. They were absolutely hilarious especially the bantering that goes on between Bettany and Tudyk's characters. You will probably also begin to see more of Laura Fraser who plays a female blacksmith that eventually becomes part of William's little gang. I previously saw her in Titus (with Anthony Hopkins) and found her good in that movie but it was hard to tell considering how unusual Shakespeare's story was but after this movie, I expect good things from her. The movie turns a bit dramatic towards the end but it works in the context of the movie although I would have liked it more if they kept the lightness through to the end. Don't take this movie seriously or you will have missed its point completely.
Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. It was light, funny and entertaining. A great summer movie!