Review: ‘The Last Duel’ – A display of the uncomfortable power of perspective

Seeing a movie without prior knowledge of it is rare for a film critic, but The Last Duel is one such instance. I was aware it was directed by Ridley Scott and starred Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Three Hollywood giants whose recent films have been largely hit or miss. I also knew it starred Jodie Comer and Adam Driver, who have delivered some of the most compelling performances in recent memory, but could very well be in for their first major disappointment. Basically, The Last Duel could’ve been a huge flop or one of the best films of the year. I’m happy to report it’s the latter.

The story of the film centres around a vicious crime defined by three narrators. Jodie Comer’s Marguerite accuses the dashing and noble Adam Driver’s Le Gris of rape. Due to the law of the land, Marguerite’s husband, Matt Damon’s Jean de Carrouges, must defend her in the film’s titular and climactic duel.

Watching The Last Duel may make you feel like serving on a trial jury, but rather than watching real people in real cases, you’re watching some of the greatest mainstream actors give their all. Each act tells the story from the perspective of the three leads. First from the husband Jean de Carrouges, then the rapist Le Gris, and finally the lady Marguerite. The film replays scenes with subtle alterations in each segment, making The Last Duel a layered and rewarding film from beginning to end.

As an acting piece, the film is fascinating. Each performer essentially plays the same character, yet with vastly different intent. Jodie Comer first plays the dutiful wife, then the lustful temptress, followed by the strong-willed survivor, captivating the audience throughout. The performances go a long way in establishing which version of the story you’re watching, but also makes for an uncomfortable experience as the film depicts how something so gruesome to one can exist falsely in the mind of another.

The differences in perspective are brought forward with added details that shape your understanding of these characters. Each time the film replays a scene, you’re left to make a determination on the truth and render your verdict. The film challenges the idea of objectivity in a subjective world and asserts that one person’s experience is their truth, regardless of its deviation from reality. The film does establish what the true events were by the end of the film and shows the excruciating uphill battle in asserting that truth in a world that deems it irrelevant.

Watching The Last Duel is a discomforting watch given its parallels to the modern day. While the film’s 14th-century setting lends itself to fanciful battles and barbaric duels, the underlying truth is the film is far from fictitious. Seeing Marguerite’s story defined by despicable men in power rings depressingly familiar, yet Comer’s portrayal of resilience in the face of public humiliation and death is nothing short of inspiring.

Rating: Big Screen Watch

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.