Film Review: “The Green Knight” Remixes a Classic Arthurian Legend
With the success of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton and Shonda Rhimes' Bridgeton, several films, television, and theatre productions are creating historical and fantasy content that is more inclusive for modern viewers. Many fans, particularly people of color, enjoy these casting choices because they can finally see themselves in a genre that barely represents them. However, some critics argue that casting diverse people in traditionally white roles is not accurate. But if British actors can routinely play Roman politicians from ancient Rome with an arched British accent, why does it matter that Sacha Dhawan, a British-Indian actor, plays a Russian politician in The Great? Besides, it is the director's job to pick actors who are right for the part, not choose actors who are white.
Take Dev Patel's role as the impulsive knight Gawain in the medieval fantasy drama, The Green Knight. Director/Writer David Lowery selected him to play the protagonist because he felt he would look good riding a horse, an essential trait with any medieval fantasy. Of course, watching Patel's gorgeous locks billowing through the Irish landscape is appealing, but the actor is ideal for the character because of his charm and range. Fortunately for Lowery, casting Patel is not the only thing that makes The Green Knight a triumph. Along with Patel's captivating performance, The Green Knight revitalizes the classic Arthurian tale for modern audiences with its sweeping expressionistic visuals and innate ability to humanize its larger-than-life figures.
Gawain's grand adventure begins on Christmas day. After a night of drunken merriment with his lover Essie (Alicia Vikander), the messy royal attends a holiday celebration at the King's (Sean Harris) castle on behalf of his Mother (Sarita Choudhury), the King's estranged sister. While Gawain enjoys the festivities, the King requests his favorite nephew to sit next to him and his wife, the Queen (Kate Dickie). As he muses about his legacy and lack of an heir, the aging ruler asks the lad to tell a tale about his life. Unfortunately, Gawain, who is unsure of who he is, does not have one – yet.
Suddenly, a tree-like figure named the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) appears on horseback. While looming over the Knights of The Round Table with his mighty ax, he challenges them to a beheading game. If one brave soul beheads him, they will receive riches and respect. However, in return, they must travel to the Green Chapel next Christmas and accept the same blow from him. Without hesitation, Gawain accepts the challenge and strikes the Green Knight. Now with the Green Knight's ax and his Mother's enchanted girdle on his waist, Gawain goes on a quest full of danger and wonder. Does he finish the game or let fear and temptation overtake him?
Unlike most adaptations of the Arthurian tales, The Green Knight provides a fresh take on the story by focusing more on the characters' humanity than their heroic deeds. One notable difference is that Lowery changes most of the legendary figure's names to fit with who they are at their fundamental core. For example, the director/writer reimagines King Arthur as the "King," whereas his wife becomes the “Queen." Interestingly, Gawain's name stays the same, perhaps to highlight that he is not as legendary as his family members. Additionally, the medieval fantasy provides a different take on King Arthur. Instead of characterizing him as the spunky brash hero of lore like in Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Lowery turns the King into an old man nearing the final years of his life. Perhaps minor at first glance, these tweaks to the chivalric romance make these heroic characters more approachable.
The filmmaker's focus on the character's humanity is a nice touch, but Lowery does not define the female characters as well. For a director/writer who is willing to change how we view historical and fantasy dramas, Lowery misses out on the opportunity to reshape the characterizations of the women in King Arthur tales. Namely, the depiction of Morgan Le Fey. A powerful character in her own right, she gets reduced to the Mother. Like the defanged version of Disney's Maleficent, Lowery regulates the Mother to maternal roles, such as weaving and reprehending her wayward son. And even though the Mother still performs witchcraft, she mainly uses her magic to aid her son or push him to succeed. That said, Sarita Choudhury gives it her all with her performance as the Mother. Known for her work in the beloved films Mississippi Masala and The Hunger Games, the actor adds a high level of pathos to the role.
Female characters aside, the film works thanks in part to Patel and Vikander's captivating performances. As stated, it is intriguing that Patel gets to sink his claws into Gawain. Not because he performs a role usually reserved for a white actor, but because of his acting abilities. The performer gives Gawain equal amounts of vulnerability and brashness. You will feel for him as he attempts to cover up his insecurities about his place in the world with booze and women or as he struggles to break free from a pack of teenage thieves. Vikander also gives an incredible performance with her dual roles as Essie and the Lady. Performing multiple characters can come off gimmicky. Yet, Vikander pulls this off by not only playing these characters as opposites but also as reflections of Gawain's conflicting emotions.
The Green Knight's story is a deceptively simple tale, but the drama’s visuals are complex. Like a Rembrandt painting come to life, cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo uses bold lights and shadows to direct our attention to certain aspects of the screen, such as the King's statement to Gawain or the Green Knight's ax. Lowery also stages his characters like pieces of classic art. For instance, when the Lady ponders why the Green Knight is green, she intentionally lays her hand across the table as if she is posing for a painter, or in this case, Lowery. Some may argue that Lowery and his crew are indulging themselves a little too much, especially with the film's blend of Christian and pagan imagery. Yet, no one can deny that each frame looks it belongs in the Louvre.
The Green Knight may not work for everyone. Some will find the carefully crafted scenes pretentious, while others will scoff at the depictions of its female characters. And yes, detractors of Patel's casting will complain about how "wokeness is destroying cinema" on Twitter. However, with the star's riveting performance, Lowery's ability to humanize the legendary characters, and Palermo's stunning visuals, The Green Knight gives a unique reimagining of a classic medieval romance.
