Chevalier (2022) User Reviews

I want MORE about Chevalier!!

[thejdrage · 6/10 · 28 June 2023]

I looked forward to seeing this VERY MUCH, but when it was over ........ I wondered exactly what I had seen - story-wise. It felt empty.

Seems that I don't know much more about Joseph Bologne (Chevalier) than I did prior to watching this. And I feel cheated - because here is an historical character that has to have one hella story! And not just what I saw in a couple of hours however beautifully shot it was. :(

You had bad guy (he's ALWAYS the bad guy) Marton Csokas as Marquis De Montalembert. Say that fast three times and you have your 600 characters. I like Marton Csokas, but it seems to me that he tries to be Ray Stevenson who played Titus Pullo in Rome - someone we loved. He's the same bad guy all the time, just in different clothing. Literally.

Minnie Driver was BRILLIANT as the bad guy female. What a treat!

But this wasn't about Minnie Driver.

And I still do NOT know what Chevalier was really all about.

I felt cheated. There was so much more to this man and his story - and this movie didn't give me even a hint of it!!

Am in hopes someone makes a mini-series about him! Two hours is not long enough!

Sneak peek tonight - quite good

[silverlve · 7/10 · 19 April 2023]

When I first saw the commercial, I was intrigued to watch this movie. One of my friend won a preview today at 7:30p, which was pretty packed with folks. The movie is quite good, made me teary and there were moments which really made one admire how it must have been for a talented young man who lived during such difficult times. Though I am glad I managed a sneak preview, I would definitely suggest buying a ticket, sitting back and listening to the lovely music played. While I do enjoy some classical music, learning of Joseph's life and his musical talent needs to have more focus on it and hopefully this movie can help bring that to light.

Not bad fun - a bit of a romp through 18th century France

[amca1960 · 7/10 · 20 August 2023]

I don't quite understand the furious negativity about this film - as I thought it was highly watchable. I am a classical music lover, and I've known - and hugely enjoyed - the music of St Georges almost from when first recordings were released. He was certainly one of the most remarkable men of his time - supremely gifted: a brilliant violinist, composer, and swordsman (as indeed shown in the film); and known in France as "Le Mozart Noir" - the black Mozart.

The film certainly takes liberties with the facts (insofar as they are known), and the director admits that the opening musical duel between Mozart and St Georges never happened: this idea was based on the similar musical duel between Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. But so what? It makes for good cinema.

So you can't really call the film a biopic; it's more of an historical fantasy based around St Georges and the tumultuous times of pre-revolutionary France. His music gets a bit of air-play, as it should, but in fact not much really, and I found I didn't mind. I was quite happy simply to be swept along by it.

And it is really very well staged: the costuming, the scenery (both inside and out) are nicely done - I don't know how historically true they are, but for me that doesn't matter. And I thought that Kelvin Harrison Jr was quite fantastic, bringing a gravitas and a passion to his role as the Chevalier.

Weak points were his co-stars: Lucy Boynton as Marie-Antoinette seemed petty and a real light-weight, far from the imperiousness one would expect from the Queen of France. She also seems to wander about quite a bit, especially given the grumblings from the revolutionary mob. The scene in which she appears in St George's lodgings to put him down, she sounds more like an aggrieved shopper being given the wrong change. Samara Weaving is pretty enough, but seems to have no depth of character. Her husband the Marquis de Montalembert is played by Marton Csokas, who acts more like a small-time crook or stand-over merchant than a real menace.

There are times - and possibly too many of them - where the film dragged and seemed to lose its direction and focus. It could do with more rigorous editing and lose 10 or 15 minutes to tighten it up.

For all of those reasons I was going to give it 6/10, but my partner - a much more fierce and demanding critic than me - thought the film was terrific and worth 8/10. So I'm compromising with 7!

Chevalier

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 7 June 2023]

I was really looking forward to this, and after it starts with some compelling duelling violins between the eponymous "Joseph" (Kelvin Harrison Jnr.) and none other than the great Mozart himself (Joseph Prowen) that features some magical musical improvisations, I thought I was in for a treat. Sadly, though, t'was not to be. Essentially this is a rather plodding melodrama that could quite easily have been at the more musical end of an episode of "Versailles". Born, illegitimately, to the owner of a plantation and one of his indentured slaves, "Joseph" shows a considerable talent that his father is keen to see developed. He relocates the boy from Guadeloupe to Paris where he must learn - on his own - to thrive. To be excellent. He does, he even befriends Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and is to be considered for the job of musical director at the Opera de Paris. He has a competitor, though, and the Queen decides that a tournament is the order of the day. "Joseph" recruits the mellifluously talented marquise "Marie-Josephine" (the really quite sterile Samara Weaving) to sing in his new opera but her menacing marquis husband (Martin Csokas) is having none of that and pretty soon young "Joseph" is facing disgrace, humiliation and with losing his popularity at court. Gradually, now, he is drawn into the revolutionary world of his friend "Philippe" (Alex Fitzalan) with quite a denouement looming! The film looks great and when there is music, that is also rousing and distinguished. It's just the story and, for the most part, the acting. It's all just a bit weak. There's way too much dialogue and romantic shenanigans that we know are dangerous, reckless even, but they only manage to clog up the potency of this story of lust, bigotry, politics and power. I enjoyed it, but I suppose I expected - certainly wanted - something a little more like "Amadeus" (1984).

Short of greatness

[JR22-72485 · 7/10 · 11 March 2023]

Chevalier for me is a film that could have been so much better, and had all the right tools, but falls short of it's true potential. I'm landing with a 7/10 here, and while I think that's slightly on the higher end, it also reflects not only a somewhat objective view, but fits my personal feelings towards it very well. I was kind of expecting the film to be this massive powerhouse of music, tension, drama, and all building and building up unto this final moment where there's this big powerful ending and it leaves the viewer stunned. All in all, that's kind of what it is just never quite as good as it could be. The story itself is decent. It can feel drawn out at times for sure, and overall the pacing of the film is definitely a little strange occasionally. There is, unexpectedly I should say, a fair amount of humor in the film and at times it can take away from the tension and emotions that are being built. Chevalier does build and build, but it feels like it should have been so much more. The score is phenomenal, the acting is superb, the hair, makeup, and set design are beautiful, and the story should be intriguing and have this edge of your seat tension while building these themes surrounding Chevalier. It has all the right tools, yet Chevalier just doesn't quite hit.

historical biopic

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 24 June 2023]

Joseph Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) was born in Guadeloupe to a white plantation owner and his black slave. He is given an education in France despite racism towards his status. He becomes a great composer and violinist teaching the ladies of high society. He has an affair with the married Marie-Josephine (Samara Weaving). He impresses Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and is knighted Chevalier de Saint-Georges. With revolution brewing, a weakened Antoinette denies him the directorship of the Paris Opera due to popular racist sentiment.

I didn't know this fascinating historical figure. This biopic is competent for the most part. I really don't like the Mozart opening. It's just name dropping. In a way, that's what Joseph is doing at that moment challenging Mozart in public. It would be a great opening if Mozart is an important figure in his life. Instead, it's an one-and-done. I kept waiting for his rivalry with Mozart to begin. It takes some of the steam out of the story. Otherwise, this is all about the lead, racism, and the unknown historical figure. It's generally pretty good.

Classic Biography Movie Moves, For A Classical Movie Dude

[rgkarim · 7/10 · 22 April 2023]

LIKES:

The Opening -We know that historical bibliographies are sometimes a tad mundane and boring on the opening leading to heavy eyelids.

-This film though does it right. An opening act that takes everything you like and gives you a snapshot of what is to come condensed into a great entrance that serves a quality Act 1 -It's exciting, but mostly realistic. It sets up relationships without taking an hour, and feels complete with laying openings of mysteries to solve.

-Perhaps one of my favorite openings of my movie career, it shows the potential of this film and does it with that movie magic/historical prowess that these films serve as.

The Costumes -When it comes to historical pieces ambience is everything and again, Chevalier's studio accomplishes much when it comes to my viewing.

-Oscar Worthy costumes play out in this film, a strong attention to detail where fashion meets society expectations that really create the 18th century feel that it needed.

-They were fitting and fine, yet elegant, bringing each class, each scene to life, with color and regality without letting it take over.

-I felt much in a play or stage show, that's how good the stitchwork was and I was very pleased with just the feel of every character's look as the movie evolved. So incredible.

The Setting -Another piece of art, the setting really helps further box you in to the time setting, a wonderful recapturing of the European society, in this case France.

-Now, not being much of a traveler I can't tell you how accurate or where they fit in, because that's not my specialty.

-What I can tell you is that once more Hollywood has created pieces or at least gone to locations that feel like the traditional part of the historical literature and the concert halls that were the popular venue.

-Majestic buildings of stone at their prime line the streets, alongside mansions of elaborate and immaculate designs that feel very much of the time period.

-Stage coaches and seeing the way the markets are set up adds that cultural experience that many entertaining pieces come together on, and I love the feel of this and the society it creates.

The Pace Of The First Two Acts -I said it before and I'll say it again, but the opening acts really worked for me on multiple levels.

-For one part it is the rise of the story and the evolution of a character that deciphers mystery of the pasts.

-It keeps pace and entwines with many facets of the movie, and I loved how it started to work so much into the themes of the movie and paint that society piece.

-With character introductions, a challenge so to speak, and a wonderful promise of things to come, the pace finds that balance of entertainment and details that is important.

The Acting -Another major success in my opinion, this film requires strong acting to make ghosts of the past come to life.

-Boynton makes a wonderful Marie Antoinette, at least one not so grossly portrayed as a snob, but rather a Queen with more dynamic qualities outside lavish lifestyle.

-I loved her dictation, her looks of majestic ruling, and the way her role evolves as the events transpire. She kept to the roots, but expanded on her emotions and that was nice to see at time with some of the best dialogue.

-Samara Weaving does justice to her role as Josephine, once more captivating me with her acting and the way she plays society pieces with a slight edge that isn't overbearing.

-Beautiful as she is, the way she plays this role is emotional, dropping into this strong role and making it hers, but seldom stealing the show from the others. I loved her delivery of dialog, and at least her manner of timing to the singing, or singing if she actually did it.

-Of course, Harrison Jr. Is the star of the show and does a lot with the about 120 minutes of the film he is in it.

-He plays this composer well and the direction to have him cocky, but yet relatable and seeing the potential for even more, is conveyed so wonderfully by the way he does things on the screen.

-The saber fights and the musical battles are wickedly balanced between modern edge with traditional poses. His line delivery is tight for the most part, and seldom strays from the figurehead he does. And I for one, enjoyed his emotional moments as the story evolved.

-His chemistry worked with so many elements of this movie and he was a shining star in my book for a wonderful display of acting.

The Dialog/Writing For Most -It's smart, it's historical, and yet has a tad modern twist to give a little more relatability.

-Chevalier's writing is all about simply conveying the matters at hand and evolving as each part of the movie unfolds.

-The opening dialog of vagabond lifestyle meeting society works, while the middle acts convey the weight of this competition he is in and the passion he has for the various aspects of it.

-Even the last act that was not my favorite, has the moments that are so charged I could not help but fall into as the actors brought it to life.

-Sure, there are some dry spots of dialogue, and the fact they had to remind us the French people were speaking French/ and we were just hearing the English "dubbed".

-Otherwise, it fits the piece well and makes for a wonderfully entertaining dynamic.

The Music -The best part is the classical work to this movie and the wonderous performance it brings.

-Chevalier is a pinnacle of classical work and it strives very well in regards to what he contributed. The movie is filled with parts of his work, piano and violin strumming to epic emotional moments much like what you hear in classical tapes.

-And yet, the movie uses those pieces to tell the emotions of the moment, much like Hollywood does, but to a much better degree that I love.

-Hearing this in both fore and background enhances the scenes, and the way the director guided it to mimic his found works and place them where they fit best.

-That opening moment works and there are other times we get hints of that, much of this showing just how gifted this man was with musical theater.

DISLIKES:

A Tad Boring Middle of the Movie -For this reviewer, pacing started so strong, but then hit a bit of a snag for me in Acts 3 and 4.

-Potentially because I'm not the biggest on love aspects of movie, Chevalier's synopsis takes major hold starting middle ground which threw a wrench in the gears for me.

-Certainly it's important, but many of the things the first two acts did for me were sort of diluted and would not appear again until Act 5.

-Losing those qualities, which were what drew me into the film with the credits, I needed a bit more of those things to return to help get past the slow spiral of this particular story.

-Others may find this part more endearing, but for me, while fantastically edited and acted, was the part I felt was weaker given several of the other things done in this movie.

The Lack Of The Revolution Spark Promised -This movie talks about the man who sparked the Revolution to come.

-We kind of got that. Throughout the movie, you are seeing the starts of the movement taking spark, but only from the sidelines, which is good.

-Unfortunately, the final act is where things seem to be the focus for this and I can't say that it delivered on my expectations for the hype the trailer promised.

'Again, don't get me wrong, it's good on some levels, but time did not do it justice and I think there was more to the tale that I wanted to see.

-So, I can't say that it was the best Revolution piece as the trailers seemed to promise.

Some Inconsistent Character Use -The movie is really about three main characters, and two of which go absent for some time in the film.

-Other character's hold the potential to be something more, supporting roles that become tertiary and are rather mundane outside a few scenes.

-And that to me again was something I hated to see wasted. Chevalier almost feels like there is more there, but to go with time limits had to be cut.

-It's not the worst use of characters I've seen, but it also isn't the best, with so much more needed to help maximize the character use.

More Music Needed For Big Numbers -You heard it right, more musical numbers are needed given the other piece of this movie.

-Chevalier may use the music well, but it didn't perfect it for me and took the half-used route I get frustrated with studios doing.

-A wonderful opening number felt complete, but Acts 2 and 3 are about building a piece to which we barely see snippets of because of the other plot point.

-I'd have liked a little more focus on this and time to it and given us a strong middle number to show the majesty of the work.

-Then the final act needed a number as well, something to go out strong on, but alas feels like they shortened it too for the sake of the movie, giving us a powerful glimpse.

The VERDICT: Chevalier is certainly a movie with gusto, poise, class, and feel that is worthy of the Toronto Film Festival awards it received. To me it feels like an extended history book chapter, giving you the highlights, to fit into a roughly two classroom timeline. Smart performers and writing, visual feel that immerses you and music to show off, these aspects are good for fleeting attention spans. However, the movie almost needed two movies or a series to properly give you everything Chevalier could have been and not lose the pacing the first two acts set up for me. That strong opening, with the trailers, promised something deeper, and sadly it didn't all come through for me to fully warrant a higher mark. Still, totally worth a visit for historian buffs, or classical movie lovers, with classrooms doing the best to show this piece to their charges. I give the movie:

Biography/Drama/History: 7.5 Movie Overall: 7.0.

Excellent movie!

[rontheartist · 10/10 · 22 April 2023]

I hate that this movie isn't getting the buzz it deserves, because it was a great one! This movie was so beautifully told. The characters were extremely engaging and had me on the edge of my seat the entire movie! The casted actors were PHENOMENAL!

It consisted of a few hidden messages. Loved those just as much. Joseph Bologne deserved his story to be told. He had a great shot at life that most of MY people didn't get the chance to have in that time. Although, it was unfortunate that it costed him his relationship with his parents, most of his life! Again, beautiful story.

I'd watch this movie AGAIN and AGAIN!

A Millennial / Politically Correct Take on History

[Screen_O_Genic · 7/10 · 28 June 2023]

One of the most interesting and unique figures in music and world history, Joseph Boulogne, the titled Chevalier Saint-Georges, was a talented composer from the Age of Enlightenment who broke the mold in Ancien Régime France. Born in colonial Guadeloupe of a landed Frenchman and a slave woman he rose to fame and musical glory amidst personal and social turmoil. "Chevalier" charts his one of a kind story in steady and good pace with fine acting and the pageantry of pre - Revolutionary Paris. Alas, what could have been the equal or perhaps superior of "Amadeus" or "Immortal Beloved" is soiled by the rampant anti-white, anti-Western agenda of the times. The Saint-Georges of the film is a cocky, full of himself blowhard who all too elegantly restrains his hubris with the affectations of the white society he so eagerly desires to one-up. By all accounts the real-life Saint-Georges was a gentleman who was well liked by those who knew him. The French court in turn are either flagrantly racist or all too fawning towards the singular upstart and one wonders watching this whether one is watching a period piece or a cast from 2023 in 18th - Century clothing. Kelvin Harrison Jr. Gives a decent albeit flawed performance in the lead role as he seems to consciously and subconsciously struggle with the propaganda and the reality set before him. Funny enough, for a bioflick on a musician and composer there's barely any music touched on. The film totally fails in showing what made Bologne tick musically and instead the viewer is bombarded by one pc scene after another. This is a tale and individual that would have been given their just due on the big screen fifty years ago. On a personal note it's nice to see one of my screen crushes Samara Weaving in another lead although it's strange to see her in her role. Taken for what it is and what it should have been, "Chevalier" should at the very least be a gateway into further discovering an interesting man in an age of change and knowing the full truth about them.

Historical Hodgepodge

[MichaelMartinDeSapio · 2/10 · 2 May 2023]

Joseph Bologne, known by his title the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was an interesting minor musical figure (and more) in late 18th-century France. American Founding Father John Adams described him as "the most accomplished man in Europe in Riding, Running, Shooting, Fencing, Dancing, Musick." Such a colorful character deserves a fine, exciting biographical film. He does not get it here. For the most part, CHEVALIER is anachronistic and uses St. Georges as an excuse to project the usual faddish sociopolitical cliches. Many details of the movie are pure fiction (St. Georges' infant son was not murdered) and in many cases decidedly ahistorical. The fact is that most of us don't know much about racial attitudes in France at this time, but the filmmakers take the liberty of reducing most of the white Parisians to racist caricatures; St. Georges himself is degraded by the end of the film to a sad, pathetic punching bag. The film feels unfinished, as if the screenwriter just decided to throw in the towel at the crucial moment of St Georges' career.

If CHEVALIER was intended to be of interest to the classical music community, it failed miserably on this count too. The filmmakers appear to have no serious engagement with classical music or culture generally. St. Georges own music is not central to the film, indeed is barely heard. What little period music we hear is performed with some degree of authenticity, but it amounts to no more than a few short soundbites. At the climactic scene in the theater, St. Georges strikes up the orchestra and they play not anything 18th-century but some kind of postmodern movie music. The filmmakers are not interested in St Georges as an artist. Only his social status and racial identity interest them.

I am seeing a pattern in historical films these days where writers take an obscure subject, compile some basic research, then embellish the material beyond recognition, superimposing postmodern lingo and sensibilities. Such distortions of history do real harm in an era when few people take the trouble to read historical literature (i.e., firsthand sources) to learn about the past, instead relying on simplistic cliches and pat generalizations from movies and TV.

Beautiful and fanciful docudrama.

[JohnDeSando · 10/10 · 24 April 2023]

"Who the f___ is that?" Mozart (Joseph Prowen)

You say you are intrigued by dynamic 18th-century France; you say you love classical music; and you say you like a melodramatic plot that pits wife, husband, and her lover against each other? Then rush to your local theater to catch Chevalier, a docudrama about the first known Black classical composer, Joseph Bologne ( played well by Kelvin Harrison Jr) who would eventually be called The Black Mozart. When Joseph challenges Mozart to a violin duel (see quote above), the film never reaches that sublime spirit again (it probably never happened anyway), except when he dominates with his rapier.

Director Stephen Williams and writer Stefanie Robinson have crafted a robust tale, based on fact, about a young, Black, and beautiful musician, born on the island of Guadeloupe to a white plantation- owner and an enslaved Senegalese woman. Eventually rich dad sends him to private school in Paris to tend to his musical genius. Needless to say, a Black man at the court of Marie Antoinette is an outsider who is promoted to Chevalier de Saint Georges by her and protected by her and his musical and swordsman genius.

If the writer had filled her story with The Chevalier's accomplishments, she could have avoided the overly-long segments about his illicit love affair with married Marie-Josephine (Samara Weaving). She also could have played up the Chevalier's eventual acclaim as a military leader of the revolution. However, that prowess with sword and women is partially instrumental in bringing his downfall.

Yet, being the wrong color is the true culprit. Audiences that look for a modern connection need look no further, for the egalite portion of the French motto didn't work then, and still struggles. Black excellence is celebrated today, as it should have been hundreds of years ago.

Chevalier is a delightful historical romance with some truth and warmth. Not bad for our times when inequality between the elite and minorities is still a presence.

True Story of Joseph Bologne

[stevendbeard · 7/10 · 24 April 2023]

I saw Chevalier, starring Kelvin Harrison Jr.-Elvis_2022, Cyrano; Lucy Boynton-Bohemian Rhapsody, Murder on the Orient Express_2017; Marton Csokas-The Last Duel, Into the Badlands_tv and Samara Weaving-Snake Eyes, Ready or Not.

This movie is based on the true story of the first black music composer named Joseph Bologne, that lived in the later 1700's. Kelvin plays Joseph, who's father was a French plantation owner and his mother was an African slave. Kelvin had a gift for music-the violin in particular-and fencing and excelled at both. Lucy plays Marie Antoinette-the Queen of France-who took a liking to Joseph so much, she gave him the title Chevalier. Marton plays a Marquis and Samara is his wife. Of course, things were different in those days, especially how people of a darker color were treated and Joseph had his ups and downs. He was very talented but the people of that time period just couldn't get past his skin color. When Samara wanted to sing in a composition written by Kelvin, it didn't go over to well with Marton-and others-and there were repercussions.

It's rated PG-13 for violence, language and sexual content-no nudity-and has a running time of 1 hour & 47 minutes.

Although it's not one that I would buy on DVD-I'm not a big classical music fan-if you are interested in his story, it would be a good one to stream.

An unbelievable opportunity lost. FOR SHAME!

[MoviesaremyGame · 2/10 · 8 May 2023]

From the opening scene, I was horrified. It had always been a dream of mine to witness a Joseph Bologne movie. Given the scope of his life and near super-human qualities, at no point did I imagine, that it would not be EPIC. A champion HORSEMAN, FENCER AND VIRTUOSO whose nemesis wore a full gown for their battle; the fact that he INDEED lived with his mother AND father (traveling back and forth) in Paris from the age of 9 and their dynamics in supporting their son through the constants fires brewing at every turn in Joseph's top tier educational career which it seemed important for the auteur behind this movie to ERASE. Shameful.

We are to believe Bologne did it all on his own and that he had little affection for his parents who left him to fend for himself in the cold halls of the academie.

...and the opening scene. As someone with some knowledge of times, my head nearly exploded. Mozart being adored onstage later joined by a dusky upstart which the audience seemingly had zero faith in as Mozart challenge was on. THIS...MADE...ZERO.... SENSE. From his mid-teens, Joseph Bologne WAS A CELEBRITY simply from his athleticism, attractiveness and famed public battles which he almost always won. He later was a musical celebrity haven't innovated the quartet and mastered the harpsichord, but back to the opening scene, it would have been MOZART who was seen as the outsider.

Sigh, so many terrible choices made in this movie from the underwhelming casting (Bologne was a strapping specimen of a man. A Superman, figure, if you will and it would have been important to note that. He had a proper relationship with his parents. There is absolutely no record of distance between Bologne and his parents especially his mother who, in the movie, is a figure of derision for Bologne and distant from her son. A truly malicious choice from the auteur.

Bologne also would have been considered a "Lothario" but we only experience this by word of mouth in the movie. There is little to no evidence he was ever hung up on that one particular woman.

He was more than a violinist. They rushed through his schools years and there was no exploration of his life in Guadaloupe. IMAGINE opening up with a beautiful juxtaposition of the lush Caribbean world with the cold, angular environment would have served the audience and Bologne's identity and life well. HOW IMPORTANT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN NOTING THAT BOLOGNE WAS IN FACT "BORN ENSLAVED".

Lastly, and most horrendously, Bologne's triumphant French Revolution story with his 1000 (I believe) Black soldiers whose victories became legendary. A French Revolution which had Bologne and the famed Thomas-Alexandre Dumas. WHAT A LOST OPPORTUNITY!

A star was added for the valiant effort of the lead actor who was given a job that was not suited for him but this film... should never have been made. Not like this.

This film was reduced to a symbolic journey of "Blackness in Solitude" through white spaces and relationships, truth be damned. The "parable" ending with his embracing what he seemed to deny during important parts of this movie, his "Black identity". A journey which would have been better explored with a fictional character than a man whose life was so grand (there is so much more I could have added especially with his competitive battles amongst men like Mozart) that it warranted a NETFLIX series over an under 2 hour movie experience.

Joseph deserved better and the audience deserved the truth.

Really good important true story

[masonsaul · 7/10 · 13 June 2023]

Whilst Chevalier does leave some of the most interesting parts of his life off screen it remains a really good true story that makes sure a very important and talented historical figure isn't forgotten and makes for a very good starting point for people to discover his story.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. Is absolutely incredible in the title role, he has so much confidence and never backs down from the constant racist insults hurled at him over the course of the film, by the end of the film there's a real power to his performance.

There's no moral greys in the supporting cast here, Samara Weaving, Sian Clifford & Alex Fitzalan are good and Minnie Driver, Lucy Boynton and Marton Csokas are bad and all of them play these parts really well with Weaving being the strongest.

Stephen Williams' direction is really good, the production values are impressive overall and the opening scene and title reveal is a very clever way to introduce Chevalier. The music by Kris Bowers isn't subtle at all but that actually ends up working in its favour.

The music is excellent; the plot is disappointing

[steiner-sam · 7/10 · 1 May 2023]

It's a historical drama set in Paris, France, from the 1750s to the 1780s. It recounts a highly fictionalized version of the pre-French Revolution life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a biracial man of great ability who achieved high status in French society.

"Chevalier" opens with an encounter between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Joseph Prowen) and Joseph Bologne (Reuben Anderson/Kelvin Harrison Jr.) during one of Mozart's concerts in Paris. Bologne's musical skills on the violin impresses Mozart, who previously did not know Bologne. We then learn that Bologne was the son of a wealthy plantation owner, Georges de Bologne Saint-Georges (Jim High), and one of his slaves, Nanon (Ronke Adekoluejo). Georges recognizes his son's musical abilities and sends him to a private school in Paris at age seven.

The film then follows Joseph's growing skills in music as a player and composer and in the sport of fencing. He achieves rank in French society through the support of Queen Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton). His desire to head the Paris Opéra led him into competition with Christoph Gluck (Henry Lloyd-Huges). The opera he created featured Marie-Josephine de Montalembert (Samara Weaving), who became his lover. Her much older husband, Marc René, Marquis de Montalembert (Marton Csokas), disliked the theater and, in addition, was a racist.

Nanon arrives in Paris after Georges' death and reacquaints Joseph with his Creole heritage. Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (Alex Fitzalan), gradually encourages Joseph's engagement in the nascent French Revolution.

"Chevalier" does a good presentation of Bologne's ambivalent status in French society because of his biracial situation. However, it's less convincing on Bologne's movement to support the Revolution. More vigorous development of this theme would have improved the film. The music is excellent; the plot is disappointing in its divergence from reality.

Although Mozart and Bologne briefly lived together, there is no evidence for the movie's opening scenes. Joseph's father did not abandon him; they lived together for a time in Paris. Joseph clearly was a man about town, but the evidence for a relationship with Marie-Josephine is based only on a gossip columnist. The opera Joseph writes as the film's core closed after one night. Marie-Josephine's husband actually wrote comedies that featured his young wife.

Entertaining Melodrama but CGI overload

[tm-sheehan · 7/10 · 3 August 2023]

My Review - Chevalier My Rating 6.5/10

Chevalier is directed by Stephen Williams and written by Stefani Robinson and based on the factual story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African enslaved and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a composer before an ill-fated love affair.

This incredibly gifted French-Caribbean composer musician Joseph Bologne who receives the tile Chevalier de Saint-George's from Queen Marie Antoinette Lucy Boynton at first delights the French Court of King Louis XVI.

The title character is impressively played by Kelvin Harrison Jr. An actor I have seen previously in movies like Elvis as BB King , Cyrano as Christian and in The Trial of the Chicago Seven cast as Fred Hampton but not in a major role like this.

Other cast members include Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton, Marton Csokas, Alex Fitzalan, Minnie Driver,

Even though there is a scene featuring a young Mozart don't expect a movie anywhere near the quality of Amadeus . Apparently although they both were in Paris at the same time and were aware of each other's reputation it's doubtful if they ever met but it does make their duelling violins scene a great dramatic moment in the movie.

The Chevalier's enormous sex appeal for the women of the court adds to the melodrama ,especially when his rejection of the haughty aristocratic La Guimard beautifully played Minnie Driver turns the tide against him. . This leads to the husband of an Opera Singer Marie- Josephine played by Samara Weaving becoming outraged when tipped off by the jilted La Guimard who spills the beans about the Chevalier's infatuation and eventual affair with his wife .

The husband Marc-Rene de Montalembert played by New Zealand actor Marton Csokas with the lascivious vengefulness expected of a cuckolded husband adds to a story worthy of Barbara Cartland or Mills and Boon.

I'm making the plot sound melodramatic because for me it was a tad overdone . Not that it's a bad thing but in view of the historical timeline of the story at the beginning of The French Revolution in 1789 .I thought the most interesting part of the movie was towards the conclusion when the French Revolution begins and Saint Georges is inspired to compose a new concert to put on in support of the revolutionaries.

My main criticism of the movie which was primarily filmed in Prague ,Czech Republic is its look on screen the over use of CGI makes it look very staged and and artificial . For instance the entire street that The Chevalier lives in was created by CGI then all the people on the street were added later after being filmed.

For me it's great technology from the Folks at VFX Production and Designer Karen Murphy but it's overdone.

Summing up Chevalier I found a very entertaining movie in parts ,well acted but I think it just misses out on being a much more interesting film due to the melodramatic tone and over use of Computer generated imagery.

What's the real reason behind so all these bad review ? ?

[firoozh · 7/10 · 6 July 2023]

OK, this film is about an historical figure in France around the French Revolution. He is a biracial gifted musician that his race is the main obstacle for his full accomplishment as a composer and violinist. There are two different issues about this film. First the quality of the writing and directing that some reviews had already mentioned. I agree the script could have been way better, the first thirty minutes is wasted and the romance is too long and unnecessary, instead they could have continued with his life during the Revolution and the impact of Bonaparte's racist actions in banning his work to the point of destroying it to obscurity so he could reinstate slavery.

My second point is the disapproval that people show with giving ones and expressing their dissatisfaction with the film anti racist subject matter. Unfortunately the same people might be supportive of banning teaching history of slavery in schools. I wish this was a more successful film in showing the real pain this artist suffered during his life.

Chevalier is a great movie

[blade516 · 9/10 · 27 April 2023]

Chevalier is a great movie of historical significance. It shows that not only is America responsible for hiding the history and contributions of Blacks but the same is true throughout Europe also. Having seen Chevalier I noticed it barely scratches the surface of him being a child protege of many different art forms from music to fencing, horseback riding as well as a composer music. Chevalier was so good that Mozart stole some of his musical arrangements and made them his own. So don't listen to the ignorant reviews of people who didn't like the movie for some mysterious reason. You will have a good time and learn something at the same time.

Their is More of Chevalier, however his Bio is Shorten

[timeblank · 7/10 · 30 April 2023]

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier was an exceptionally talented individual, excelling in various fields including violin, fencing, and music composition. Although his biography likely reveals more of his abilities, the movie primarily centers around his participation in an opera competition where he searches for a new opera singer. The story takes a dangerous turn as he becomes involved in an affair with the beautiful Marie-Josephine, portrayed by Samara Weaving, who is already married.

Despite his impressive skills, the competition ultimately declares another contestant as the winner due to Chevalier's skin color. This decision leads to Queen Marie Antoinette mocking Chevalier, causing him to organize a concert to fund the revolution. Though undoubtedly there are many more tales to tell about his life, the movie provides only a brief glimpse into his story. Nevertheless, the acting is impressive, and one cannot help but wish for a more in-depth portrayal of his life.

Great story, so poorly told

[apereztenessa-1 · 3/10 · 23 April 2023]

Apparently, one of the (main?) drivers of the French Revolution was racial equity. Who knew? This is a new Hollywood trend: you transpose current (broadly accepted) societal views into different geographies, cultures and historical periods, basically to prove that they always were eternal. Women Talking, The Woman King are two recent examples of this trend. Art has always been used to convey the ideas of its time, and there's really nothing wrong with it. Except when you pretend that what you're depicting is historically accurate, in which case it becomes revisionism or cultural imperialism. As a violinist and a person who lived in Paris for four years, the cultural imperialism in this film may upset me a bit more than most. But I could actually go with it if the movie were good. But it's not.

The story is actually amazing. Imagine: a black violinist and composer in 18th century France. A man of color who was a contender to become head of the Paris Opera under Louis XVI, and who then became a leader in the French Revolution. One can only dream of what this film could have been in the hands of Spike Lee, Jordan Peele or even better Ladj Ly. It could (should) have been an exploration of the character, his motivations, what it was like to be a person of color in the court of Louis XVI, how he truly embraced revolutionary values and how they reflected on his own condition. What do we get instead from Stephen Williams? An attempt to remake Amadeus with a black character. The plagiarism is so overt that many times you feel as if you were watching segments of Amadeus again, with a few dashes of Kubrick's Barry Lindon here and there. Except that Williams is no Milos Forman and no Stanley Kubrick. His film, weighed down by its narrow program of easy answers we all knew before going into the theatre, is dull and empty, and the characters, without the freedom to exist in their own right, increasingly feel like figures at a wax museum.

One can only hope that a real filmmaker will retake this story and turn it into the film of relevance that it should be.

Stunning Portrayal Of Forgotten Maestro

[JoshuaMercott · 8/10 · 26 June 2023]

My Impressions:

Bringing the hitherto unknown story of Joseph Bologne to life can't have been easy. There were so many ways this movie could've irked viewers, especially those whose entire lives and careers are based on classical music.

However, "Chevalier" genuinely created a compelling, but simplified, portrait of the French-Caribbean composer known for being as bold as he was talented. Aka Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Joseph Bologne rose above his illegitimate bloodline and found his place in French high society.

On a related note, African-American slavery played a vital part in the plot. An intriguing, but forbidden, love affair added to the racial tension. Moreover, memorable historical characters were also given prominent placement in this 'underdog' story about a composer who went the extra mile to own his musical notes.

The story was set in France before the Revolution. I appreciated the sheer attention to detail that went into each frame. I might have missed a thing or two but, from what I could see, they enlivened and enriched that decadent but also tumultuous era of French history.

I particularly liked what they did bringing the younger versions of King Louis XVI (Sam Barlien), Mozart (Joseph Prowen; you will see an interesting side of Wolfgang), and Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) to life. Except for Louis, the others were given a compelling modern twist that created some interesting authenticity in the "Chevalier" plotline.

The way the filmmakers interwove historically established à l'avance (ahead of its time) ideas of equality, societal change, and empowerment further enriched the production. These were complemented by graceful performances from Marton Csokas (Marquis De Montalembert), Alex Fitzalan (Philippe De Leon), and Ronke Adekoluejo (Nanon).

Finally, Kelvin Harrison Jr. Was outstanding in the titular role. He brought gravitas and empathy to the character of Joseph Bologne. His performance left little doubt in my mind that, after watching this movie, people will want some pages of classical European music history to be modified. Be sure to catch those historical notes at the end of the movie.

My only disappointment was that I ended up wishing they explored more elements of Joseph's story. "Chevalier" felt like it ended too soon after speeding to a finish.

Hair-makeup and costume design were excellent. Art direction and set decoration were extraordinary. Stunts and VFX were great. Editing and sound effects were admirable. Musical scoring was superb. Cinematography was exceptional. Screenplay was remarkable. Direction was outstanding.

Pretty but lacking

[ubalmond · 7/10 · 18 June 2023]

Most of these 1 star people don't know that there is a lot to this man that is true and intriguing and important. But it's disappointing that the first time a mainstream movie about this guys fills in so many of the gaps with historical fiction, leaving history buffs hating it and leaving people who don't know better believing everything in the movie. All of the notes at the end about what happened after the rebellion started, THAT should have been the movie. That was more fascinating. It could have been epic having all of this music stuff transition into the more insane parts of his story. Alas, covert racists and history snobs win the day. MAYBE the movie can be redeemed with a sequel. (?)

P. S. The star is beautiful. Irrelevant. But beautiful.

Historical inaccurate & boring

[stephaniedc · 2/10 · 23 June 2023]

I am so disappointed. 1. I love the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. 2. His life story is fascinating 3. It's a shame we don't learn about him like we do his friend and contemporary Motzart, who was slightly less famous in their lifetime (this erasure of his history was systematic by Napoleon, who wanted to re-engage France in the slave trade). 4. Stephanie Robinson, the writer, kills on 'Atlanta' and 'What we do in the Shadows.' So I was excited about this! And it failed.

Just historically inaccurate, which made it less exciting and interesting. His relationships with every historical character in the movie, including his parents, were totally false. His relationship with the French Revolution was inaccurate.

I don't understand why you'd lie to make a story worse. His actual life story is so captivating. Skip the movie, put on the Chevalier de Saint-Georges' Spotify, and read his Wikipedia page instead.

Great insight, but exactly what I expected & no more

[Goosegirl14 · 7/10 · 2 July 2023]

I realise a lot of poetic license is used in the storytelling.... i.e. The love story, the relationship between Joseph and Marie Antoinette, as well as other aspects of the plot were constructed for the film. Therefore it isn't (is it ever really possible to?!?) a completely accurate biopic/retelling.

However, the overall historical key points (an illegitimate child, who is a person of colour with massive talent and drive) are reflective of the facts. It was really interesting to get this insight into the French attitudes and how this man was able to gain such status And recognition despite the huge racism and obstacles that he encountered. The acting was brilliant and characters really well drawn/imagined. There was great balance of information and plot.

I can't fault the film in anyway for being what it was- a rather light depiction of the period and events and relationships that may have occurred. This is because it will hopefully mean more people will learn that YES history has been massively white washed and written with bias and agenda. It would be brilliant to see a version of this story that is much grittier and real. But, I appreciate the tone and performances and this version greatly.

Good but not great

[titley-02065 · 7/10 · 5 August 2023]

I enjoyed this movie, superb sets and costume, good acting and interesting story. Unfortunately the script is okay but not great and if anywhere, this is where it fell down. It felt like they didn't know how to end the film and maybe this is because they were trying to paint Chevalier (at the end) as being sympathetic to the revolution when in fact the only reason he got to that point was because he was turned down for a job. I came away feeling he was slightly amoral, which I doubt is what was intended. But overall I enjoyed the film, it's better than most and a great trip into eighteenth century Paris. Definitely worth a look.