by Adam Ritchie, Contributing Writer
Directed by Ridley Scott and written by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck (together at last), and Nicole Holofcener (who joins the writing duo this time around), and set in France during the 1380s, The Last Duel is the story of exactly that. It is told from three differing perspectives: those of Sir Jean de Carrouges (Damon) Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), and Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), setting up for one of the greatest showdown finales in recent memory.
Telling the tale from three perspectives is a key element in delivering the film’s main theme, and in my opinion, its key strength. At over 150 minutes, The Last Duel is anything but an arduous two and a half hours. For me, it seemingly flew by, which is a great indicator for how well Scott is able to engage his audience.
Some spoilers ahead:
Initially, Carrouges and Le Gris are friends in battle. They’re both servants of the king, but they eventually drift apart as Le Gris becomes the debt collector for Count Pierre d’Alencon (Affleck), and Carrouges is not of favor for disobeying orders during a key battle. Carrouges has lost his first wife and child to the plague, but on return from a battle he meets Marguerite, and is set to be married.
At the ceremony, Carrouges barters over the dowry he will be provided with his new bride, and claims a parcel of land already promised to d’Alencon for a debt owed. Upon finding out the land will not be his, Carrouges sues d’Alencon and only manages to damage his reputation further in the eyes of the liege. Later on, Carrouges brings his wife to an event hosted by Le Gris, and Le Gris instantly falls in love with Marguerite.
Upon returning from battle in Scotland, an unwell Carrouges travels to France to retrieve his bounty, leaving his wife to tend to the affairs of the estate. During this time, alone in the house, Le Gris forces his way in with the intent to woo Marguerite. However, as she protests, he eventually rapes her.
Marguerite comes forward and tells her husband what has happened, and he comes to believe and support her testimony. Fundamentally, The Last Duel’s central theme is #MeToo, an extremely important issue in modern times. However, for me, this is where a perfect movie falls over just a little bit, as the modern sensibilities being forced into this era just doesn’t quite work. Some authenticity is lost here, because at the time, (and the movie makes sure you are aware of this fact) women are not considered as legal people, but property of their husbands. At times, though, the dialogue and manner of the women portrayed here does not fit with the time.
So back to what I see as the key strength to this film: the three-chaptered storytelling from each of the key players’ perspectives. Of course, this is a well known trope in cinema, often called Rashomon-ing, from the 1950 Akira Kurosawa film Rashomon that may have invented this storytelling method. Why I feel it is used to great effect in The Last Duel is down to subtle changes of dialogue or minor changes in key moments, depending upon whose side of the story we are seeing. This is where the authenticity hits its peak, because it is only natural that tellers of their own story tend to favor the positive parts toward themselves. It’s a stroke of genius from the screenwriters, and don’t be surprised to see Affleck and Damon going two for two in the screenwriting Oscar stakes. It was so much fun noticing the subtleties of plot that drove each perspective forward.
Again, as mentioned at the top of this article, the duel itself, is heart-poundingly visceral, and I have to be honest, it is never 100% certain who is going to win, until it is. The stakes are driven higher, because if Carrouges loses, Marguerite will be burned at the stake, and their new child will be orphaned. According to law, it is God’s will to decide the fate of the guilty, so if you survive, you could only be telling the truth.
Performance wise, everyone is very good, but not award worthy spectacular. Comer is a real standout for me, but Affleck is also quite incredible in his minor role. I am not at all a fan of his, but I did find myself thinking something I never thought I would: can this film have more Affleck please? His presence on screen as a roguish scoundrel is as stellar as he has ever been.
The Last Duel is a big recommend from me, and I hope you manage to see it soon. I can’t wait to see it again.
Grade: A
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