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A Knight's Tale - Superbit Collect

Peasants chanting Queen's "We Will Rock You?" A medieval royal ball gone disco? You may think it's silly, and you'd be right: it's absolutely ridiculous. But "A Knight's Tale" dares to walk the tightrope of placing the old with the new, incorporating modern songs and phrases into an era gone by, and it succeeds in doing so. The perfect mix of grandeur, passion, and exciting action, director Brian Helgeland tells a likeable tale that, for me, is a real triumph of a film. ***

From the beginning, the movie puts forth its own set of rules, as peasants sing "We Will Rock You" during a jousting match; at this point, you either accept the movie's machinations, or turn away in contempt. At the center of the excitement is William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), a squire whose master has just taken part in his last match. Desperately in need of money for food, he and his partners Roland and Wat (Mark Addy and Alan Tudyk) decide to finish the match themselves, and William dons the armor and takes the arena by storm, giving new meaning to the phrase "natural born." ***

But that isn't enough for the ambitious lad, whose life-long dream of becoming a knight stems from his father's instillation of hope in him. After encountering Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany) and striking a deal with him to concoct a fictitious family history for William, they make their way to several jousting matches, where William takes a new identity, a new love interest in Lady Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon), and a new rival in Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell), whose jealousy over William's fame and popularity stir his devious mind. ***

A somewhat formulaic plot, you might say, but when you're having so much fun in a film such as this, does it really matter? There is such a high spirit to the movie, an energy so exciting and full of joy that any inhibitions you originally had will be swept aside once the movie invites you on its trek. ***

Much of this enjoyment is due to the cast, which is stellar in all fields. Ledger is the ideal embodiment of a hero, and his character's mission becomes one of hope and strength through his forthright acting. He and newcomer Sossamon share a warm chemistry, one that is as vibrant as a medieval tapestry. Addy, Tudyk, and Bettany are riotous as William's cohorts, each of them possessing a warm spirit that makes this supporting cast one of the year's best. The rival Adhemar is played exquisitely by Sewell, who even has that cunning look and characteristic about him. ***

Director Helgeland, who also wrote the film, brings an upbeat feel to the movie, even in its more emotional scenes. His portrayal of a medieval setting is less articulate than something along the lines of, say, "Excalibur," but it's nonetheless breathtaking, if not exquisite. Helgeland also instills a high energy into the jousting matches, giving us many different points of view, and charging each scene with fast-paced editing and the roar of cheering audiences in the arena. ***

The movie's true high point is the comic relief, stemming from the mix of 14th century settings with post-modern culture. The "We Will Rock You" sequence is bursting with laughs and upbeat charisma, a successful opener to the film. A medieval ball that begins with harmonic melodies resonates into David Bowie's "Golden Years," and the scene practically takes flight. Some may sneer at the mixture, but it is purely nothing more than good-natured fun, and I fully recommend it. ***

While scenarios such as this are nothing new, they are rarely done so well, and that's what makes "A Knight's Tale" such a special movie. It's got everything you could ask for in a movie: genuine comedy, a believable love story, likeable characters, and a plot that never stops moving. It's brilliant combination of eras and culture is nonetheless upbeat and inspired, and I enjoyed every minute of it. One of the best films of the year.