The Last Duel

When I found out that Adam Driver had been cast in The Last Duel I decided to read the book by Eric Jager (upon which the movie is based).  I was absolutely fascinated by the true story about the last legally sanctioned trial by combat in France and I immediately began anticipating the release of the movie.  I was able to see it last night at a Thursday preview (in a packed theater) and I think it is outstanding.  The movie opens with preparations for the duel between former friends Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Driver) and then depicts the events leading up to it from three different perspectives.  In the truth according to Jean de Carrouges, he saves the life of his squire Le Gris in battle but, in return, Le Gris ingratiates himself to their Lord, Count Pierre d'Alencon (Ben Affleck), and is rewarded with land that was meant to be a part of his wife's dowry and with a captaincy held by his father than was meant to be his upon his father's death.  He is angry with Le Gris for this betrayal but instigates a rapprochement to keep the peace.  When he returns home from battle, his wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer) informs him that she was raped by Le Gris.  When Marguerite tells him that she wants Le Gris to pay for his crime against her, he demands justice from King Charles VI (Alex Lawther) in the form of a duel.  In the truth according to Jacques Le Gris, he defends Carrouges for disobeying the Count's orders in battle and earns the land and the captaincy for services rendered to the Count.  Carrouges lashes out against him but he instigates the rapprochement because of their former friendship.  He can't help himself from falling in love with Marguerite and believes that she also has feelings for him.  He forces himself on her but asserts that he has done nothing wrong because her resistance is perfunctory.  He protests his innocence but agrees to the duel because he does not want to appear cowardly.  In the truth according to the Lady Marguerite, she has no importance in society beyond her dowry and her ability to produce an heir but she is capable and runs the estate better than her husband during his absence.  She views Le Gris as handsome and intelligent but untrustworthy and, when he attacks her, she fights him but is overpowered.  Carrouges flies into a rage when he hears of the rape because he sees it as an affront to his honor and demands a duel even though it puts her life in jeopardy.  The movie concludes with the duel and its aftermath.  I think the structure is absolutely brilliant because the characters view the same events very differently based on their experiences (Carrouges believes he is the hero, Le Gris believes he is justified, and Marguerite believes that she is a victim of the patriarchy) and it is up to the audience to determine the ultimate "truth."  While the rape scenes are hard to watch, the subtle differences between the two perspectives are very powerful.  My only problem is with Le Gris' version because it deviates from the book.  He always maintained that he didn't attack her at all and there was evidence, albeit disputed, that he had an alibi.  The scenes involving medieval combat are spectacular and I was particularly impressed with the portrayal of the duel.  Finally, I loved every performance.  Damon and Driver are fantastic and Affleck steals every scene he is in but Comer is absolutely amazing!  This might not be for everyone (it could be very triggering for some people) but I loved it and I highly recommend it to fans of historical epics.