Formula: King Arthur ^ A Ghost Story
There are a few genres that mainly exist because directors still want to make them, even though audiences are indifferent. Westerns are the biggest example of this. Almost none of them make any money compared to their cost, but every director with a decently long career wants to put his or her (but let's be honest, it's mostly his) stamp on the genre. If not for these directors fondly remembering the classic Westerns growing up, the genre would be in deep hibernation. Medieval fantasies are like this too. Arthurian legends or Robin Hood reimaginings are more associated with money loss than studio profits. Every few years a director convinces a studio to sink a lot of money in a Robin Hood (2018, 2010) or a King Arthur (2017, 2004), even though it hasn't been a winning formula since - I guess - 1991 (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves).
David Lowery has already circled the Western with Ain't Them Bodies Saints and The Old Man & The Gun featuring elements of the genre, so naturally, it's time for him to try Medieval fantasy. Being the director who turned Pete's Dragon into the most thoughtful Disney remake in years and turned his fears above moving into a 90-minute meditation on existence (A Ghost Story), Lowery's The Green Knight is nothing like Arthurian tales you've seen before.
I assume most people do not know the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. I had to look it up to remember a lot of it. The Green Knight does stick closely to the story though with more than a few embellishments. Gawain (Dev Patel) is the nephew of King Arthur and hopes to be a knight. On Christmas, a mysterious green knight comes to Arthur's court with a game. He challenges anyone to land a blow on him on the condition that, a year later, that man must go north to a green chapel where the green knight will return the blow. Gawain accepts the challenge, beheading the green knight, who doesn't die from the blow. Then, most of the film is a year later, following Gawain's journey to the showdown. I must make it clear that this is in no way an action movie. I don't recall two weapons clashing in the entire runtime. The movie is a journey with a series of odd tests. Gawain stumbles onto undead spirits, giants, and a lord and lady with a test of their own.
This film is closer to A Ghost Story, with its reflection on life/existence, more than any other Arthurian movie. Not a lot is explained in the film. Most of the events are left up to interpretation. Similar to A Ghost Story, I don't understand the purpose of everything featured in the movie, but I was into the vibe of it all. Knowing some Arthurian legends helps but isn't required. Things like Excalibur and Merlin are featured though never named. Knowing what they are is certainly not the point. You have to be patient with Lowery's films. There's nothing quite as excessive as an extended scene of someone eating an entire pie like in A Ghost Story, but nothing in this movie is in a hurry. I love how Lowery does it, but I can see how others could find it tedious. For whatever reason, I'm on Lowery's wavelength.
The cast is small but great. I'm not sure when exactly Dev Patel morphed from the kid who just happened to lead Slumdog Millionaire into a hunky leading man, capable of holding my attention without saying a word. He's the whole movie and it's better for it. Alicia Vikander has the next most prominent role, but it's a distant second. She has a couple characters in the film, but she's mainly Gawain's lover from a lower class. His love for her will eventually be a complication, but the movie isn't concerned with resolving that. I'm a fan of Vikander in anything and this is no exception. There's also Sean Harris as the King (never called Arthur, but we know who he is), Sarita Choudhury as Gawain's mother who is also a witch, Joel Edgerton as a Lord Gawain meets along the way, and Barry Keoghan and a scavenger Gawain has a run in with. They all get what their purpose in the movie is. Also in the cast are Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie who play the parents in The VVitch. If that's not a useful tone setter for you for this A24 film, then I don't know what to tell you.
The Green Knight was well worth the wait*. It won't be for everyone. People should go in with clear eyes about what the movie is. I suspect its low CinemaScore has to do with a lot of people expecting more of an action movie. David Lowery remains among the most exciting directors working right now with his unique tones, ability to pull a strong cast, and unconventional pacing. I'll need months or years to settle on if I like or love the movie. It's not the lightning bolt that A Ghost Story was for me, but it's certainty among the best things I've seen in a pretty strong 2021.
*It was set to debut in March 2020 at South by Southwest with a nationwide release in May 2020 before COVID shut everything down.
Verdict: Strongly Recommend
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