There’s a wealth of talent involved in this epic set in Medieval France but it never really takes off. It’s written by and stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and is directed by Ridley Scott.

It’s a drama about the rivalry between two knights, and an accusation of rape. One of the main problems is that the film is split into three parts. The same story is told from three different character perspectives – from each Knight (Matt Damon and Adam Driver) and the rape-accuser, and wife of Matt Damon’s character, Marguerite (Jodie Comer). In order for that technique to work, you really need the story itself to be exciting enough to watch three times without becoming repetitive. Unfortunately it isn’t. There are some battles scenes, the repeat of some events slightly differing depending on the character perspective, and – ultimately – the two different interpretations of the rape. His (she’s willing) and hers (she’s not).

I enjoyed Affleck as Pierre the libertine Count, and Matt Damon’s performance works well although isn’t that charismatic. Adam Driver doesn’t quite cut it as the bad guy Jacques LeGris. Complex soulful villains can work very well but the balance and depth wasn’t there in this case, and LeGris’s constant protestations of love for his rival’s wife Marguerite seemed to come out of nowhere. With a film like this where the dialogue isn’t particularly sharp and story is thin, you really need the two rivals at the heart of it to be outstanding, and while the actors are excellent in their own right, the chemistry isn’t there between them in this story.

Having said that, since The Last Duel was based on a true story you can’t tell how it’s going to end, so that adds a layer of suspense which not all dramas successfully achieve.

Ailie Hunter
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