Review of The Last Duel (2021) by Rlorenzo — 24 Oct 2021

The Last Duel (2021) 7.88 out of 10 Ridley Scott is back with another medieval epic and this time with the help of writers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon with Nicole Holofcener. The Last Duel tells of the final judicial duel permitted by the parliament of France where one is accused of raping another's wife.

It is told in three different narratives; Jean de Carrouges' (Damon), Jacques Le Gris' (Adam Driver), and Margueritte de Carrouges' (Jodie Comer). Stories of the quest for honor, quest for lust, and as highlighted in the film, the truth.

At first, the story is slow and going in with zero information, it was confusing. But by the final narrative, I was fully into the film and during the "last duel", I actually held my breath.

I did not know what was going to happen and the performances made it even more intense and heightened. Jodie Comer was the breakout star of this film as her performance in all three narrative was so real and you can really feel for her on screen.

Expect nominations during awards season. Matt Damon and Adam Driver also delivered amazing performances as they portray the two sides of the patriarchy that is sadly still strong in our society today.

The Last Duel is a grim, dark, and almost claustrophobic film that is even bolstered by the very little music it had. In contrast though, it is also a beautiful looking film with the environment taking you into the world.

The costumes are amazing, the make-up is grittily realistic and the scenery is breathtaking. Be warned though, that a certain scene that is shown a couple times may be triggering. It's a tough watch, but I thought it was directed well by Ridley Scott.

The fights and battles are also done well. I felt immersed into the action and felt every hit and blow as emphasized by the sound mixing. The only negative thing I have to say is, whenever Ben Affleck's Pierre d'Alencon comes in, his goofy character takes you out of the film.

Overall, this is another great film by the 83-year-old and I'm excited for his next film this year, House of Gucci. In conclusion, I want to highlight a line in the film, "Perhaps I would have done what many before me has… Nothing.

" Please speak up. Do not just stand by and let things happen as they do. If you are horribly wronged, specially by way of this film's subject, which is rape, please speak up. Do not let these people go.

As a man, I won't fully understand every emotion that goes into this subject, but I know that it is wrong and wrongs must be corrected. Please speak up.