May 12, 2001

By Veronica Mixon

When a young peasant's master dies after a jousting match, the desperate peasant takes on his identity in order to survive. Thus begins a romantic tale of royal jousting matches, intrigues and unexpected love in writer-director Brian Helgeland's A Knight's Tale.

Ordinarily, one would expect a romantic adventure filled with swooning ladies and robust men but Helgeland, who won an Academy Award for writing L.A. Confidential, a topnotch crime thriller, has decided to add contemporary music and dance to lure young audiences into the theater. Gone are the days when movie-loving audiences went to a movie out of curiosity. A few years ago, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in a similar effort, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet but Shakespeare's prose helped that film's young cast look good. Unfortunately, A Knight's Tale stumbles badly.

The best thing about the film is its star, Heath Ledger, who received rave reviews for his first American film, 10 Things I Hate About You and then blossomed into a real star in The Patriot which co-starred fellow Aussie, Mel Gibson. The handsome, 21-year-old actor is charming as the ambitious, fearless William, who represents contemporary upward mobility in this 14th Century setting.

William discovers that not only can he make a lot of money but also he can acquire fame by posing as Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein. With the support of his band of friends, Roland (Mark Addy The Full Monty), Wat (Alan Tudyk 28 Days), Chaucer (Paul Bettany) and the female blacksmith, Kate (Laura Fraser), William enjoys the privileges of the rich and attracts the attention of a lovely young maid, Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon). But, it's the enmity of bitter rival, Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell Dark City) that reminds William his new life can shatter at any moment if he's discovered. Nevertheless, Jocelyn's love, a bigger prize purse and the feeling that his achievements have earned him the right to be called a knight propel William toward the ultimate conflict with Count Adhemar.

Casting rising star, Heath Ledger in A Knight's Tale was a smart move but Helgeland also helped the film by including handsome, rakish Rufus Sewell. A good villain can always insure an intriguing film and rousing ending. Sewell's lusty overture to Jocelyn and his intense anger toward William makes him a worthy opponent. However, I think the inclusion of contemporary music - even by Queen and David Bowie - wasn't the best way to go. The audience that I saw the film with was frankly surprised when 14th Century townspeople started to sing "We Will Rock You."

Nevertheless, Ledger, Sewell and the comic performances of Alan Tudyk, as the feisty pal and Paul Bettany's gambling, great poet Chaucer will ensure that A Knight's Tale is at least entertaining for its young audience.