David Lowery's "The Green Knight" is Fantasy Gold; One of the Best Films of 2021

 

The lasting power of mythology comes from the innate human element - that nugget of realism in the midst of fantasy - that highlights a fundamental aspect of our existence. There's a reason why the Greek gods and Arthurian narratives still get taught in schools and adapted into various mediums. They are stories of meaning, honed over the years like a boulder rolling down a mountain, smoothing and chipping away in order to remain applicable as time chugs on. Mythology is important; don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I think it was Madeleine L'Engle, author of fantastic contemporary fiction like A Wrinkle in Time, who said something to the point that when we lose our myths we lose our place in the universe. One of my most anticipated movies of the year was a retelling of a famous myth, that of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. My only real connection to this myth was through reading J.R.R. Tolkien's retelling of it, which I read once many, many years ago. David Lowery's epic The Green Knight is a film that blew me away. It's one that I'll be thinking about for a long, long time.

The Green Knight is an epic fantasy adventure that tells the story of Sir Gawain (played masterfully by Dev Patel). Gawain is an interesting character; he's the reckless and headstrong nephew of King Arthur, and a man unknowingly lost when it comes to purpose and honor. Arthur loves him, and wishes more for him. Gawain gets his chance when the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic green and other-worldly stranger, comes to offer an enticing opportunity, should anyone dare to take him on. In legend, the Green Knight is a tester of men, and Gawain accepts his challenge, only his approach leaves much to question. A year after their first meeting, Gawain must embark on a daring quest to confront the Green Knight once more, a task he dreads as his initial choices in their first meeting weighs heavily upon him. He contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. 

I gotta hand it to A24. This little production company has really made a name for itself in curating really unique and memorable films (Hereditary, Midsommar, The Lighthouse, Uncut Gems, Moonlight, just to name a few). They seem to attract really great talent, and director David Lowery is truly visionary when it comes to his epic retelling here. The only thing I'd seen of his before this film was A Ghost Story, which was a completely different experience than this film. Lowery wrote this adaptation as well as directed, and with this film he has created a fresh, daring, bold, and unforgettable take on a classic tale. His visual approach is stunning; the cinematography in this film is beautiful and haunting. Lowery uses light in a way that feels of the time, but also as a strong narrative tool. At times you feel enveloped by the darkness as Gawain confronts unknown obstacles, and the use of natural light brings a heightened level of realism amidst the fantastical nature of the piece. The performances from Joel Edgerton and Alicia Vikander were wonderful - as was the rest of the cast - but Dev Patel is the stand-out for sure. Gawain is a character that struggles with the weight of choice. His choices place his honor, integrity, and self-worth into question. Patel handles this intense personal journey with such mastery, and you can see how keen Lowery is with getting Gawain's story right, or at least his telling of it. The story never felt disjointed, although the style in which the film is presented might not be for everyone.

This is a slow film, and Lowery deals with visual metaphors quite often as Gawain struggles along his journey to face the Green Knight once more. Lowery isn't afraid of the fantastical nature of the narrative; in fact, in many places he whole-heartily leans into some pretty crazy visuals. But he doesn't do this for the sake of being flowery or "artistic." There is meaning behind each and every moment, and as the film reaches its harrowing climax, you see this powerful visual storytelling on display in what I can only describe as peerless. The ending is perfect, and I absolutely loved it, but most people might not. As I said, it leans into the fantasy and leaves you on your own to experience it all with Gawain, almost working together to make sense of it all. Lowery doesn't leave you hanging though, nor does he spell things out for you, but his visuals work handily to convey the powerful message of the film.

Those who know me will probably roll their eyes at this next sentiment, but I honestly feel that The Green Knight is one the best movies of 2021, hands down. The production, costumes, and music are stunning; the performances across the board are really quite awesome, especially that of Dev Patel, and the story works as a cohesive parable of what it means to find self-worth. Personally, this story resonated with me on a deep level, and will probably stick with me for a long time. It's not going to be for everyone, but I would recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat. Give it a chance; it's really that good.