"The Green Knight" (2021) | Sam Gall Movie Review Issue #157 Gem Mint 10

"The Green Knight" (2021)

Director: David Lowery

Writer: David Lowery

Starring: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Anais Rizzo, Joe Anderson, Noelle Brown, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Sarita Choudhury, Nita Mishra, Tara Mae, Atheena Frizzell, Chris McHallem, Erin Kellyman, Joel Edgerton

Rated: R for violence, some sexuality and graphic nudity

Runtime: 2h 10m

Genre: Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

Country: Ireland | Canada | United States | United Kingdom

Language: English

Available on: Various VOD platforms

"A fantasy retelling of the medieval story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."

You might like this if you like: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Medieval, David Lowery, Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Anais Rizzo, Joe Anderson, Noelle Brown, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Sarita Choudhury, Nita Mishra, Tara Mae, Atheena Frizzell, Chris McHallem, Erin Kellyman, Joel Edgerton

Dev Patel in "The Green Knight" (2021)

I’d heard about this film for quite some time now and finally checked it out. I went in pretty dark, I’d seen the trailer but it’d been so long I didn’t really remember it. I knew Dev Patel was in it and remembered some gorgeous images, but that was about it. I’d also heard very mixed reviews, basically either loving it or hating it. I went in with low expectations, I love medieval and fantasy, I absolutely loved it.

It felt epic without being too epic. It had a wonderful mystery and suspense overshadowing the entire film and was just filled with beautiful artwork and sets, even the CGI (computer generated images).

"The Green Knight" (2021)

I was definitely a fan of Dev Patel’s prior to this, and felt pleased with how much they left in of Patel in his character. It added a realism and humor to a usually dim and dark genre(s).

My biggest shock and favorite surprise (I doubt everyone else will have this, I just didn’t remember from the trailer luckily for myself) as I had forgotten Alicia Vikander was in it and I’ve been her biggest fan since ‘Ex Machina’ and ‘The Danish Girl’. She was terrific in this and I loved how she got to play around with the role.

Alicia Vikander (left) & Dev Patel (right) in "The Green Knight" (2021)

A unique take on the genre, a well-known story (King Arthur) with a spin, and a great cast on top of one of the most gorgeous films of the year. One of my favorite original scores of the year as well which you can check out below by composer Daniel Hart.

Written by Sam Gall on Dec 19, 2021

CGC Grading: Gem Mint 10.0

"At its center is a performance from Patel that walks the knife's edge between folly and vigor, between wisdom and lamentation, and between predetermination and doubt." - Roxana Hadadi, Pajiba

"Lowery's elusive adaptation withholds its meaning up to and beyond that final image of a mossy stump. It's left to the viewer to puzzle out the ending for herself on the way home -- an invitation to another most excellent adventure." - Dana Stevens, Slate

"Ambitious, strange, and spellbindingly beautiful." - Christina Newland, iNews.co.uk

"It might have been too much, too heavy, were it not for Patel. He is sympathetic in every frame... here he has graduated to something more commanding. He now has the gravitas of a leading man and radiates movie-star charisma." - Kevin Maher, Times (UK)

Official Trailer:

Behind the Scenes:

#MovieReview #TheGreenKnight #SirGawain #KingArthur #DavidLowery #DevPatel #AliciaVikander #ErinKellyman #JoelEdgerton #SeanHarris