Right before the French Revolution, an aspiring violinist named Joseph Bologne, also known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, brings down opera houses with his magnificent musical talent, igniting his ambitions.
He wows the public with his prowess despite all the roadblocks put in front of him due to the color of his skin. Little does he know that, like most highly successful musicians, he will experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows that eventually lead him to become ostracized and shamed.
Chevalier is a biopic about the triumphs and tragedies, the trials and tribulations of the gifted French-Caribbean virtuoso. While the populace enjoys his breathtaking solos, the upper class of the day has no respect for him largely due to his race and is convinced that he will be nothing more than a distant memory.
Chevalier is played by Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a revelatory, star-making performance that demonstrates his capacity for winning over the crowds who come to hear his singular talents.
Chevalier falls in love with the wife (Samara Weaving) of the Marquis de Montalembert (Marton Csokas), and while the former has the desire to start a romance with him, her husband insists on rendering his reputation obsolete. He faces similar persecution from Marie Antoinette herself (Lucy Boynton) and Marie-Madeleine Guimard (Minnie Driver), the dominating ballerina.
The movie convincingly presents all the challenges Chevalier has to face on his way to becoming an icon, including the French Revolution. Chevalier has some of the trappings that come with a biography of this sort, such as learning about the titular character’s humble beginnings, a sense of promise when the protagonist discovers his gift, a highly successful following amongst the nation and ultimately, the fall by those who want to see him fade into obscurity.
Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s performance is so illuminating and spirited that it’s impossible to take your eyes off him once he picks up that violin. He brings the right sense of urgency, poignancy, and allurement to a man that is destined to be forsaken in his time but ultimately remembered as a true prodigy.
It’s a very entertaining, passionate, and heartfelt film.
Grade: A-
(Rated PG-13 for thematic content, some strong language, some suggestive material and violence.)
