Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Green Knight’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Green Knight’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that we live in supremely uncertain times. For our future is up in the air thanks to the nightmare that is climate change, and it seems that evil is everywhere and eager to take hold and the people that we would expect to fight for us and keep said evil at bay, are as flawed as they come and seemingly unwilling at times to stand up and stand tall in a manner that is both heroic and brave and well, that lack of courage that gives us pause and concern. For that level of inaction makes it appear as though we live in an age where heroes no longer exist and that worry is further compounded by the fact that so many of our appointed ‘heroes’, have sullied the word with their desire to use their standing as such to indulge their own corrupt desires.

Which leaves us wondering, exactly what it will take for someone to rise up and be the hero of yore that we yearn for and well, perhaps the answer to that question… lies in an updated definition of the word. For if what we expect a hero to be is no longer in existence because of ego and corruption of the soul… then the world needs to redefine the hero and understand what it truly takes to become one in a world where everything is so incredibly gray and well, one fine way that we can redefine that meaning, is through fiction. For there we can deconstruct the hero and figure out what traits apply to our modern world and it just so happens… that a new movie arriving in theaters tomorrow, takes the time to examine what a modern hero should look like… by setting its story far in the past in The Green Knight.

Now in this particular film, we are transported back to Arthurian England, long after the king pulled Excalibur from its stone and assembled his knights. In fact, when we catch up with Arthur here, he’s an older King, one that is wise beyond his years and one that is curious as to what the next generation will bring to the table. To the point where he begins to spend more time with his nephew, Gawain, to understand what the young man wants for his future and the future of the kingdom and thankfully… it turns out that he wants to be a hero and an icon like his uncle, and oddly enough, he gets his chance to indulge in the latter when a strange visitor swings by the castle on Christmas Day. For the mysterious Green Knight is eager to put forth a contest on this day, one that will challenge a brave soul to a battle of strength to be concluded in a year after it begins. In order to properly test the moral mettle of its challenger, and now Gawain’s commitment to this challenge will put him on an incredible journey… one that will indeed define what gives life to a true hero.

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Which as it turns out… is a far simpler definition than expected. For this movie makes it inherently clear that what truly defines a hero through and through; is humility and honesty and a desire to change and embrace what’s right and what’s true and what gives this message such gravity and weight… is Gawain’s journey to find those traits. For his quest to complete the Green Knight’s challenge is modern and human and wrought with temptation and mistakes and everything in between and that in turn helps the viewer to understand that heroism isn’t granted or easily labeled, it’s earned by learning those virtues and that oddly offers up great hope for the future. Since that commentary also makes it clear that there are likely more heroes out there than we think, since there are plenty of people out there on that journey as we speak and if we took the time to celebrate those traits and honored them above all else, then perhaps the hero can return to the forefront of the world.

But while it is indeed wonderful to get a more realistic and honest definition of what a hero looks like in our modern world and all the commentary that comes with that, there is so much more that this story has to offer. For this movie really is a return to classic epic filmmaking, since Gawain’s quest takes us to incredible places, the kind that tickle the imagination and the soul by harkening back to the wonder of this era. For we are treated to visuals of the round table and noble knights that stand tall, and we even get to see Excalibur in all of its glory. But what matters more here, is that the fantastical is everywhere to be found in this tale, which allows for the viewer to lose themselves in some incredibly stunning visuals… the kind that remind us why we fell in love with these types of stories in the first place and why we hold them close to our chest centuries after they were first put to paper.

Which means that in the end, this is simply a magnificent motion picture through and through. One that is fantasy fable come to life and its majesty extends beyond its solid moral core and jaw-dropping imagery. For it also features wonderfully crafted characters, the kind that have depth and hopes and dreams and that particular surprise adds so much to this tale and oddly grounds its fantastical nature in reality. Plus it also features phenomenal performances, with Dev Patel leading the way in that aspect, since his portrayal of Gawain is earnest and raw and vulnerable, and well… if you’re looking for something original in an era of cinema where reboots and remakes are king, then swing by your local multiplex this weekend and give this refreshing and dynamic film a look, you’ll be glad you did.

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