A KNIGHT'S TALE
USA 2001, Cert. PG
DIRECTOR: Brian Helgeland
Star Rating * * * *
 In 14th century France, a
knight dies and his servant William Thatcher (Heath Ledger)
takes his place in a jousting match. After winning, William
and his two sidekicks (Mark Addy and Alan Tudyk) decide to
continue attending tournaments. Along the road, they bump into
Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany), who helps them falsify papers
of noble birth. William, determined to overcome his
disadvantages, sets out to become a champion jouster. On
paper, A Knight's Tale, directed and written by Brian
Helgeland (Payback), and starring Australian newcomer Heath
Ledger, sounds unpromising. On screen it comes alive and
succeeds brilliantly as a feelgood romantic comedy adventure.
Yes, it is full of some ridiculous anachronisms but there are
great performances from Rufus Sewell, the villian, Christopher
Casenove, the hero's blind father and James Purefoy, the noble
king. The script, more British in tone than American, is clean
and sharp. A rock soundtrack (Queen, Bowie, Clapton, AC/DC)
adds to the party atmosphere. Picture: a knight and his
attendants return to medieval London after years abroad. Cue
soundtrack: The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy. Anyone
who can get their head around this will enjoy A Knight's Tale
for what it is - well-made escapist fun.
Odeon and UGC from August 31
MOULIN ROUGE
USA/Australia 2001, Cert. 12
DIRECTOR: Baz LuhrmanN
Star Rating * * * *
In 1899, aspiring poet and
writer Christian (Ewan McGregor) moves to Paris and falls in
with a Bohemian crowd, including Toulouse-Lautrec and Satine.
Lautrec and his bizarre group of friends are planning a
musical at the Moulin Rouge, and engage Christian to write it.
At the Moulin Rouge, Christian approaches the manager Zidler
(Jim Broadbent) and meets Satine (Nicole Kidman) the star
courtesan-showgirl. Satine, mistaking Christian for a rich
Duke, attempts to seduce him, and a romantic relationship
develops.
Moulin Rouge has all the
elements of a great modern classic. Baz Luhrmann (Strictly
Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet) has once again served up a dazzling
spectacle with a pop-opera plot (love/jealousy/tragedy).
The film's references and
influences are all too clear, from the opening sequences of a
Lumieré Brothers' Montmartre with a Méliès moon, to the
Busby Berkeley musicals of the 40s. The Red Shoes, Gilda,
French CanCan and Cabaret. With amusing disregard for
historical setting Luhrmann has actors break into pop songs at
weird moments. Ewan McGregor's rendition of Elton John's Your
Song is passable, but Nicole Kidman as a breathless Marilyn
Monroe clone whispering Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
doesn't quite work. Moulin Rouge feels more like an extended
pop video than a feature film. There are many fragments of
emotion, but depth is lacking.
Duke of York's, Odeon and UGC
from September 7
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
USA 2001, Cert. 15
DIRECTOR: John Cameron Mitchell
Star Rating * * * 1/2
Gay East German transsexual
Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell) having endured a botched
sex-change operation, becomes a glam-rock singer in the USA.
Living in a Kansas trailer park, she encounters a protégé in
young Tommy Gnosis (Michael Pitt), until he becomes a rock
star in his own right. A lively and compelling debut from
writer/director/actor John Cameron Mitchell. Adapted from his
original stage musical (with Stephen Trask) about the life and
loves of Hedwig, it's surprising to see this film at
mainstream cinemas as it's more of an art-house piece, so
catch it while you can.
Odeon and UGC from August 31
copyright New Insight 2001
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