Set in 14th century France, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), once comrades, are poised for a duel to the death. The conflict arises from the accusation by Jean’s wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), that Jacques raped her. The narrative unfolds through the distinct perspectives of these three central characters, creating a multifaceted account of the events.
Ridley Scott‘s filmography includes several critically acclaimed works, such as Alien, Blade Runner, Black Rain, and Gladiator. His productions are consistently meticulously crafted, with the script being the primary determinant of a film’s overall success.
The Last Duel is penned by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, marking their first screenwriting collaboration since Good Will Hunting (for which they received an Academy Award in 1998). The screenplay adapts a historical account from a book based on true events in 14th-century France. A notable challenge is the limited empathy evoked by the characters, with the exception of Marguerite, portrayed convincingly by Jodie Comer (Free Guy). The portrayals of the other two protagonists as abrasive and unlikeable contribute to a detached atmosphere, hindering the film’s emotional resonance.
The casting of Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouges presents an interesting dynamic. His interpretation of the battle-hardened warrior is understated yet effective. Adam Driver’s performance as Jacques Le Gris aligns with his established acting style. While Driver exhibits a naturalistic approach, his consistent portrayal across diverse roles, from HBO’s Girls to the Star Wars saga, can feel somewhat repetitive. Ben Affleck was initially slated to play Jacques Le Gris but transitioned to a supporting role due to scheduling conflicts. This casting change potentially impacted the film’s dynamic, as the established rapport between Affleck and Damon could have introduced an additional layer of complexity.
The Blu-ray edition showcases excellent visual fidelity, characterized by vibrant colors and deep black levels. The bitrate is well-managed, resulting in a stable and detailed image. The audio mix, however, is initially subdued, requiring adjustment to achieve parity with other films. Once normalized, the sound quality is satisfactory. The Last Duel is also accessible to Disney+ subscribers, where the streaming version exhibits a slightly darker and less defined picture quality. Conversely, the audio levels are higher on the streaming platform. Both the Blu-ray and Disney+ versions feature a comprehensive documentary on the film’s production, directed by Ridley Scott’s grandson.
In conclusion, despite underperforming at the box office, The Last Duel is a commendable addition to Scott’s filmography. While it grossed only a fraction of its $100 million budget, the film remains a compelling and well-executed historical drama, and is worthy of recommendation.
Disney provided review copies for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted objectively, with the reader and consumer as our priority.
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