The Last Duel - Review
Jodie Comer in The Last Duel. Image: 20th Centuries Studios.
Ridley Scott has made many movies in his career. I’m not kidding, he has made everything from romantic comedies, sci-fi classics, medieval epics, fantasy epics, spy movies, dramas and more in his almost 50-year-long career. Can you imagine doing anything for 50 years?
The greatest generalist director of all time, now lends his talents to the Nicole Holofcener, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck penned The Last Duel, starring the latter two as well as Adam Driver and Jodie Comer. You might be asking why exactly 83-year-old Ridley Scott is directing this medieval epic about the last judicial duel in France that deals with a rape accusation. But surprisingly, it really makes sense when you watch the movie.
The director of epics like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven (Director’s cut) flexes his swordplay muscles early on, then tells the story from three different perspectives. The three writers decided to start with Matt Damon’s Jean de Carrouges, whose story paints him as a good guy who never gets the recognition and status he deserves. From Jacques Le Gris’ perspective, who is played by Adam Driver and his flowing locks, Carrouges comes across as a fool who believes himself to be more important than he is. And Marguerite de Carrouges, the woman who accuses Le Gris of rape and is played by Jodie Comer, he is a selfish bully.
The strength of the movie clearly lies in its actors. Damon, Driver and Comer deliver fantastic performances, slightly altering them between perspectives. Especially Comer’s progression feels like she’s peeling layer after layer from her character, to reveal her as the true main character in the story. Once the titular duel starts, you will root for Carrouges not for his own sake, but for Marguerite’s, as losing the duel will mean her death at the stake.
Turns out, rape accusations in medieval times played out similarly to how they play out today: suggesting that she tempted him, that she enjoyed it, that it did not happen. Marguerite stands her ground, even when she realizes it could cost her life. It is a frustrating watch, and that her perspective comes last helps hammer down the point: things have not changed in modern times.
One additional major highlight of the movie is Ben Affleck’s performance as Count Pierre d'Alençon (honestly, read The Ringer’s take on it). I have never seen anybody who manages to simultaneously be utterly wrong and absolutely perfect in a role. It has to be seen to be believed. He pops up in all three perspectives, and is the same character throughout: a petty asshole with too much power and a weird mop of blonde hair.
The movie struggles with the subject matter, as complex as it is. It puts slightly too much emphasis on the men, but that also helps to make the movie more frustrating when you finally get Marguerite’s perspective? In the hands of a lesser filmmaker, this would have been a complete mess. Thanks to Ridley Scott and the writers (and the actors and rest of the production team) it is not.
The Last Duel is an adult drama in a world, where movies like these are far and few between. It is frustrating. It is amazing. Jodie Comer and Ben Affleck should get Oscars for their performances. So should Adam Driver’s hair. Ridley Scott’s 50 years of experience made this a worthwhile watch. And it honestly might be the best movie of the year.
