The Green Knight is an intriguing paradox: An ambitious fantasy epic filled with memorable images but a somewhat forgettable story.
Based on the poem by an anonymous writer, Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire stars as Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur (Sean Harris), and he accepts the challenge of a mysterious figure known as the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson).
Their game is on Christmas Day, and if anyone can decapitate the Green Knight, they win his axe. Gawain is successful, but the Green Knight is resurrected and reminds him that they must meet again next Christmas, and the opposite must happen.
Gaiwan grows more anxious as Christmas arrives, and he sets off to meet the Green Knight again in combat. While he’s on his journey, he encounters a series of creatures that would look right at home in either Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. There are multiple giants that reach high up into the sky, and this sequence alone is worthy of praise for its uniqueness.
Along the way, Gaiwan meets a Lord (Joel Edgerton) and his wife (Alicia Vikander), who have heard about his fame and remind him that his challenge is drawing near. Not to mention, the Lord’s wife bears a striking resemblance to Gaiwan’s own love.
I have never read the poem of The Green Knight, but as a movie, audiences will no doubt be sold on the idea that this is a movie akin to Lord of the Rings, although downplayed in terms of visual splendor.
The pacing is also an issue. Some scenes drag out with well-done cinematography, complete with what looks like long, unbroken shots establishing between the murkiness and the marvelous. This movie is punctuated by a morality tale of a character trying to hold on to his humanity while facing formidable circumstances. Normally that works for me, but some of The Green Knight felt hollow and inconsequential, except for a sucker punch ending that I really appreciated.
The Green Knight probably won’t win converts to Arthurian folklore, but the exciting images and Patel’s earnest performance are enough to hold it together.
Grade: B
(Rated R for violence, some sexuality, and graphic nudity.)
