Brian Helgeland directs Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany and Shannyn Sossamon in this medieval adventure comedy where a peasant fakes nobility to compete in a series of profitable jousts and sword fights.

A lark… for a bit. The best display of Heath Ledger’s natural star power. So… it is sort of a shame that Paul Bettany’s oft naked and always raucous take on Geoffrey Chaucer steals the movie out from under him. Bettany’s becomes a hype man for the fake knight. Adding a real energy and pizazz to the one-note jousting sequences. Riding at each other with massive poles is exciting… for the first and, maybe, the second time. After that it gets very repetitive. You could say that of the film entire. All the best stuff is in the first act. It doesn’t have much more to do after it sets up its world of sitcom supports, anachronistic songs and cheeky product placement. And then it takes too long spinning that wheel to nowhere. Charming but a one-watcher.

6

Perfect Double Bill: The Brothers Grimm (2005)