No. 44 (2023) CHEVALIER. June 14th.

 

Film No. 44  (2023)  June 14th.  2:30 PM  EVERYMAN,  Cine 1, Stratford Upon Avon, U.K.

 

"Monsieur, I fear this will not be a kind place to such a boy" (Joseph's first headmaster warns his father that the colour of the young boy's skin will be noticed).

NOMINEE: Best Feature Film (Stephen Williams) International Narrative Competition.

Joseph Bologne was a prestigiously talented performance artist from the eighteen hundreds. You don't recognise the name? Well, what if I use the name, Chevalier? There, that "rings a bell" doesn't it?  Well, here is a Hollywood-ish take of the young man who battled a prejudiced society (France) in the pursuit of fame and ultimate recognition. 

Bologne was described by U.S. founding father John Adams as "the most accomplished man in Europe". After all, Balogne, AKA Chevalier de Saint-Georges excelled as a fencer, composer and virtuoso violinist. He competed, created, and performed at the highest level, in the grandest city (Paris) of them all. It was inevitable that a film matching the quality of his exploits would be made; and here it is! So does it hit the hights of a 4 to 5 star film? No, not really but this not a criticism. 

It's "Reader's Digest" narrative on the legend of Joseph Bologne makes this more accessible to the masses. I hope I'm not being too harsh because the quality of the production is classy. As far as period dramas go CHEVALIER covers all bases. Director Stephen Williams comes  straight from TV dramas (THE WATCHMEN, RAY DONOVAN). It's his first feature in nearly 20 years (SOUL SURVIVOR). Writer, Stefani Robinson (ATLANTA, FARGO) gives a a competent spin, with a slick script. Ultimately it is comfort cinema. The easiest type of movie to watch on a cold, wet Sunday afternoon.

The legendary meeting CHEVALIER had with Mozart while in concert, and his tempestuous relationship with Queen Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) just prior to the storming of the Bastille, help to form a couple of key scenes. They are brilliantly entertaining and tightly cut. However his dangerous liaisons with an already married, Marie-Josephine (Samantha Weaving) pan out predictably. And while Weaving may seem to have the voice of an angel, it is British soprano Grace Davidson's effortlessly, captivating voice.  

Hey, just because I like my cinema stories to have an edginess to them, nothing should be taken away from the durably, entertaining, CHEVALIER.  8GUMS.