Susan Granger’s review of “A KNIGHT’S TALE” (Columbia Pictures)
Right from the getgo, you know this is no ordinary medieval tale since people are singing “We Will Rock You” and doing the Wave at a jousting match. The story revolves around William Thatcher (Heath Ledger of “The Patriot”), a peasant/squire who indulges in a bit of chicanery by masquerading as a knight, Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland, to woo a foxy lady (Shannyn Sossamon) and win the Jousting Championship. “Love has given me wings so I must fly,” he says – which eventually leads to his vanquishing a villainous nobleman (Rufus Sewell). An often-naked Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany) – “Chaucer’s the name. Writing’s the game” – adds comedy along with William’s loyal cohorts (Mark Addy, Alan Tudyk) and a beautiful blacksmith (Laura Fraser). Viewing the 14th century through a 21st century lens, with a thematic nod to “Gladiator,” writer/director/producer Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential”) punctuates Middle Ages romance, chivalry and good sportsmanship with modern music to evoke today’s highly-hyped World Championships. Obviously, his primary intention was to draw a contemporary audience, which is why the soundtrack includes a new version of Robbie Williams + Queen’s “We Are the Champions” and Thin Lizzy’s “Boys Are Back in Town,” along with the classic rock of David Bowie, Rare Earth and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Filming in the Czech Republic, cinematographer Richard Greatex and designer Tony Burrough add splendid production values to the jousting and swordplay. Perhaps the blind father subplot and the Nike wings carved into the armor are a bit shameless, but on the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “A Knight’s Tale” is an original, inventive 8. Like a high-school Renaissance fair, it celebrates the youth in all of us.
