The 14th century set true story epic The Last Duel from Ridley Scott has arrived on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital download and rental formats and just in time. Why do you ask? Because too many people missed this sprawling ethics-based, class commentary-knights and maidens story with an all-star cast, the compelling story at its core and a manner of storytelling that feels fresh and impeccably indicative of the subject matter.
The story commences with two longtime friends, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) fighting side by side. Jean—in a flash—saves his pal’s life in the most dramatic ways. These two are bonded forever. They service King Charles VI and will do anything for King and country. This is an extremely feudal society and rents are paid to the landowners—who are obviously the aristocracy. The man who collects those rents is Ben Affleck’s crisply contained, yet still flamboyant Pierre ‘Alençon. When Jacques befriends Pierre and becomes a confidant, ally, and even gets his house in order, that begins a split between the two war-torn pals that one day could be the death of them.
The Scott ambitiously directed 1300s royalty-ridden France sets its landscape and tone immediately. This is not a time to be glamorized. Although the citizenry appears happy enough—do they really know any better. They adore their royalty and will do what they’re told. After all, it isn’t another 500 years until they would revolt. Needing money after some Pierre-pushed shenanigans cheats Jean out of some land intended for him (and worse, gave it to Jacques), Jean must head out to battle as often as possible to keep making money. On one of those trips, something happens between Jacques and Jean’s new bride, Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer). She is assaulted by Pierre’s favorite squire and when she informs her husband, hell will be paid.
Despite unquestionable service to the crown and Pierre, Jean is not favored at court and the likelihood of a fair trial is minimal. This will have to be decided by the King himself, who in turn chooses that his confidant. must engage in the title action.
See, it was the final Duel of its kind in France’s history—at least sanctioned by the royals.
The acting is superb and with the cinematography breathtaking behind these masters delivering their lines, it is a two-and-a-half-hour escape to another time that takes your breath away. Damon plays a character unlike he has ever attempted and as such comes off as one of the true stars of this picture. Then again, when is Driver ever weak?! He delivers such a two-faced, yet insatiably conflicted performance, one can feel his pain. It is palpable. Then, there is Affleck. Some have said that he plays it over the top. I disagree. This is a performance that is pitch-perfect for this character. He doesn’t chew the scenery. In fact, he becomes part of this as this battle between old friends lights up and burns so bright that it will incinerate one of them forever.
Then, there’s Comer. This is a star-making performance. Especially considering how Scott and his screenwriters Damon, Affleck (Goodwill Hunting reunion!), and Nicole Holofcener have crafted this story. It requires the actors to shoot the goings-on that is central to this serious accusation of rape against Jacques. The Last Duel is told in three chapters—from the point of view of Damon’s character, Driver’s, and then Comer’s. As such, much is required of the actors to do the same thing, but slightly different. It’s a lesson in perspective and one that resonances powerfully and is one of the best films of the year specifically due to that fact.
It also sticks with you because of how Scott places you in the late 1300s. You feel the dirt, the cold the rough life these people had during that period. Even when he’s in Paris, the big city of France, it is still farmland—albeit very busy farmland—as Notre Dame is being built on the skyline. The Plague is mentioned (it took Damon’s first wife and son) and one can see why something like that would rapidly make its way through a population of this day. It’s easy to see why we don’t get many movies that take place during this time. It’s so primitive and Scott and his production designing and set building team have outdone themselves in the highest possible way.
Now, it is hard to watch at times. After all, the crime at the center of this story committed by Jacques upon Jean’s wife was rape. But as the story is told from three different perspectives, sadly, the scene has to play out in trifecta. Yet, it is done so in a way that enlightens the viewer as to what is exactly the truth, and it is one that is not arrived at until its penultimate moment. Scott’s seasoned hand at storytelling after 50 years of wielding a camera comes through every frame and is a movie that must be seen. Too many avoided it when it was in theaters and now there is no excuse to take in this terrific piece of cinematic art.
When it comes to extras, there is merely one—and that is all you need. The Making of The Last Duel. The featurette takes you behind the scenes of the rough shoot and truly illustrates why everyone involved stepped it up beyond what was required to deliver an authentic tale of what life was like in France during the late 1300s. The actors and Scott share their insight that is both enlightening and entertaining. As such, it is the perfect cherry on top of an already intense film that reminds us of the wide-scoped cinema experiences that used to be commonplace in Hollywood’s Golden Era.
The Last Duel is out now on digital and will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD December 14 on December 14.
Grade: A-
Bonus Features: B+