Review of A Knight's Tale (2001) by Steve W — 20 Oct 2011

A Knight's Tale is good Hollywood entertainment. Lavish costumes, great sets, some good rock music, just the right amount of cheese and actors who are having way too much fun all combine to make an incredibly enjoyable film.

Is it great no, it's formulaic at best and the ridiculous amount of hybridity and pastiche is bound to get on peoples nerves, but this film never pretends to be what it isn't, which is why it works.

It is unashamedly a popcorn flick, from the ultra modern hair styles of the princess, modern rock anthems and the Baroque banquet dance that turns into something much more free form. Director Helgeland isn't trying to make a film that adheres to the period in question, he's bringing the feeling of the period into the present and placing it in a context that a modern audience will understand and enjoy.

Like Star Wars and to an even greater extent Moulin Rouge, this is a film that is more than the sum of its parts. On paper it's ok at best and more likely a hot mess, but when put on screen with the energy and pure joy and love of movies of the director it turns into a something that you can't help but get wrapped up it.