The Last Duel review: Matt Damon shines in what should have been a web series

3.5/5

Story:

Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer) accuses her warrior husband Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon)'s friend Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver) of raping her. The film takes us through the events following that.

Review:

The Last Duel, starring Matt Damon and Adam Driver in the lead roles, is a film based on true events. As the story progresses, you realize the value it brings to the front. All the actors, especially Matt Damon, also manage to showcase some brilliance on-screen.

The film has a Game of Thrones-like beginning, where a woman is dressed by the maids serving her. In fact, it is also based around the same setup, same clothes, army et all but this time based in France and Scotland.

We are soon introduced to Adam Driver and Matt Damon who play warriors Jacques le Gris and Jean de Carrouges respectively. The music helps build up the intense moments right at the beginning of the film. While they fight in the beginning of the movie, we get to know that the two were actually friends in the past. How they grew apart is also beautifully explained.

Through an intense scenes, Matt manages to convince about his wrath and despair in life after being broke. His look itself is something people would have definitely not seen previously and at the same time, it adds up to his character. He, in fact, carries the movie on his shoulder, at least in the first half of the film.

Jodie Comer's Marguerite de Carrouges comes as a surprise but then again, not so much. Her character and she as an actor both leave quite the impression.

Ben Affleck as Pierre d'Alencon comes in a brief role and unfortunately, fails to leave a mark.

The film moves along quite beautifully. It balances out the drama and the historic facts almost perfectly. Various scenes replay in the film, all from a new perspective. The movie rather appears to be something like a web series owing to that aspect. Furthermore, it moves along in various chapters, hinting that might have actually been a show.

Alex Lawther as King Charles VI looks too weak as a powerful king. While he grabs attention, Alex can barely stand out in front of Matt or for that matter, even Adam.

The filmmakers have also explored why Jacques is who he is which gives more depth to the story. Unlike most films, a rape scene is explored in depth in the movie.

Jean's heated interaction with Jacques is quite a moment. As always, Matt shines in the scene. The husband and wife also have some intense moments after a turn of events. Before you know it, the film reaches its conclusion and leaves you with a heavy heart.

Verdict:

The Last Duel brings out Matt Damon's acting skills. While Adam Driver and Jodie Comer also have their moments, the two do not have flawless scenes or a very strong character that is brought to the forefront through their actions in almost every scene. Ben Affleck, among others, appear in cameo roles and thus, they do not leave as much an impact as the three main characters.