The King ( David Michôd, 2019): UK | Hungary | Australia

Reviewed by Kaio Farkouh.

As amazing as it sounds, two of the most beloved actors at the moment in Hollywood go head to head in this period war movie. It is England vs. France, or if you prefer Timothée Chalamet vs. Robert Pattinson.

The King follows a story about the English kingdom and the challenges that a king must face during times of disorder, chaos, and war. Timothée Chalamet plays Henry V. Ben Mendelsohn plays Henry IV, his father, and the king. The story changes when the king, Henry IV, dies. Chalamet, who has been avoiding this royal life, needs to step up and be the new king of England. He is just a boy who has to overcome judgments from those that surround him. As he assumes the throne, he brings a different perspective to his Kingdom. He grew up living far from his father so he has a more humanistic point of view and seeks peace rather than war. Last year, Chalamet played a boy that could not live without the support of his father in the film “Beautiful Boy.” In The King, he does a great job of carrying the movie as he develops new characteristics throughout the movie. Chalamet is the center of the movie just like his character is the center of the kingdom. In this film, he manages to grow as a human and as a king. He is the only character that you develop empathy and tangible feelings for, as the screenplay fails to develop other deep and interesting characters.

The fifteenth century is remembered by its wars and the political expansion of regions. An assassin is sent by the King of France to kill Chalamet, but he fails. It’s by their actions that Chalamet turns out to be something that he has not yet been, a man driven by rage. Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, who shot another period movie back in 2015 called “Macbeth” uses a dirty and dark tonality that makes the movie richer and more realistic. However, the good technical aspects of the movie and Chalamet’s compelling character does not compensate for the lack of predictable characters.

The writers, director David Michôd and Joel Edgerton, fail to create interesting and well-developed characters, besides Chalamet. Edgerton also plays a part in the movie as the king’s only friend and the comic relief, Sir John Falstaff. Other than that, the story and the people around the king follow stereotypes of characters that we have seen before.

GRADE: 3/5

 

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Published:
10.18.19 / 9pm
Category:
Films