As promised...
I bring you my first in a series of many. My review of...
Peasant William Thatcher (portrayed by Heath Ledger, of course) cooks up his own fairy tale dream since childhood of becoming a knight. His overwhelmingly supportive father helps him to realize this dream by shipping him off with a local Jouster. It is here that he meets Roland and Wat, who later become his own squires rather than his equals (although they are still very much that as well). Proclaiming that "any man can change his stars," Will sets off on his journey, squires in tow. It is on the road that he meets Geoffrey Chaucer, who you may remember from English class (Canterbury Tales anyone?). Chaucer is a rampant gambler who offers to forge Will's papers, and the dream is borne. William Thatcher the peasant becomes Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein the knight.
This film rather cleverly intertwines past with present; modern with ancient. While the speech and costume are very much authentic to the time, the soundtrack and humor depicted are very deliberately 2001. Or rather, 1982. The music is made up of a heady mix of Queen, AC/DC, Bowie and other classics. This intentional deviation from the historical connects you to Will before you've even realized it.
If you're looking for archetypes, this film's got them all. The snarky writer, the itching-for-a-fight best friend, the out-and-out hero, the despicable villain, and the busty maiden who refuses to admit she's just "a silly girl with a flower." But the way these roles are cast is brilliant and the cookie-cutter characters do much more to help than hinder the story.
As William transforms from commoner into nobleman, he catches the heart of Jocelyn, the hooker with a heart of gold. But of course, after they've fucked she couldn't care less if he has money or a box to stand on. Nevermind that her father would never let her follow her heart... When I initially saw this movie 7 years ago I had it pegged as an unoriginal comedy with mediocre acting and not much of a premise. Now that I see it again, I come to realize that everything about what I thought were flaws are actually direction choices (that I now agree with).
And while it's not the best prize in the world since she really is a terrible kisser compared to Wat, Heath does eventually get the girl, and that's what counts, right?
What? It had to be first :p
Peasant William Thatcher (portrayed by Heath Ledger, of course) cooks up his own fairy tale dream since childhood of becoming a knight. His overwhelmingly supportive father helps him to realize this dream by shipping him off with a local Jouster. It is here that he meets Roland and Wat, who later become his own squires rather than his equals (although they are still very much that as well). Proclaiming that "any man can change his stars," Will sets off on his journey, squires in tow. It is on the road that he meets Geoffrey Chaucer, who you may remember from English class (Canterbury Tales anyone?). Chaucer is a rampant gambler who offers to forge Will's papers, and the dream is borne. William Thatcher the peasant becomes Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein the knight.
This film rather cleverly intertwines past with present; modern with ancient. While the speech and costume are very much authentic to the time, the soundtrack and humor depicted are very deliberately 2001. Or rather, 1982. The music is made up of a heady mix of Queen, AC/DC, Bowie and other classics. This intentional deviation from the historical connects you to Will before you've even realized it.
If you're looking for archetypes, this film's got them all. The snarky writer, the itching-for-a-fight best friend, the out-and-out hero, the despicable villain, and the busty maiden who refuses to admit she's just "a silly girl with a flower." But the way these roles are cast is brilliant and the cookie-cutter characters do much more to help than hinder the story.
As William transforms from commoner into nobleman, he catches the heart of Jocelyn, the hooker with a heart of gold. But of course, after they've fucked she couldn't care less if he has money or a box to stand on. Nevermind that her father would never let her follow her heart... When I initially saw this movie 7 years ago I had it pegged as an unoriginal comedy with mediocre acting and not much of a premise. Now that I see it again, I come to realize that everything about what I thought were flaws are actually direction choices (that I now agree with).
And while it's not the best prize in the world since she really is a terrible kisser compared to Wat, Heath does eventually get the girl, and that's what counts, right?
What? It had to be first :p