THE GREEN KNIGHT
3.5 out of 5 stars
No matter what you may think of writer-director David Lowery’s surreal and haunting medieval epic when it’s over- you’ll be in awe while watching it. From one side to the other, the magic, the beauty, the disorientation, and the seductiveness fills every inch of the screen. Notice action isn’t mentioned. Lowery has something way more unearthly in mind than simple sword playing. It’s unlike anything audiences have seen in a very long time. Having said that, this Arthurian adaptation of the prominent 14th century poem can be challenging at times as it loses its way within the deconstruction of an allegorical and mystic quest where death patiently waits.
In his finest performance to date, Dev Patel portrays Gawain, King Arthur’s (Sean Harris) nephew and wannabe knight in search of attaining greatness. Decapitating The Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) during a “Christmas game” is a good start. Though in a year’s time, it’ll be The Green Knight’s turn when Gawain meets him at The Green Chapel. Time flies while larger-than-life stories of what Gawain did spread like wildfire, bringing him closer to achieving legendary status. Honor, shame, owning one’s actions, moral fragility – Gawain will go to battle against them all, and not just physically, when traveling to face his destiny.
It’s almost amazing that Lowery has brought this into existence. Truly. His storytelling is so unusual, transportive, and hypnotic. But I can’t shake this feeling of frustration when elements of such weighty themes are hidden in the fog, howbeit shrouded by gorgeous imagery. I wanted to really love this film. Unfortunately, I’m not quite there…yet. Deep down there’s something telling me that after a few more viewings (which I highly recommend to everyone), I’ll be under its spell entirely.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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