Here are two films that center on a protagonist’s quest, and his troubled journey. One happens in contemporary France, as an American father tries to save his jailed daughter; while the second takes us back to that time of chivalry and medieval romance.
Stillwater (Video on Demand) - An official selection in this year’s Cannes, this was the film screening where Matt Damon was given a standing ovation, and it was well-deserved, as he plays against type, and gifts us with a complex, textured portrayal of Bill Baker, father in anguish. Directed by Tom McCarthy (Spotlight in 2015), it’s loosely inspired by the events surrounding the Amanda Knox trial, but transported to the South of France, and not in Italy. Basically, there’s Damon as Bill Baker, a Stillwater, Oklahoma native who works as a hard hat in construction and drilling. His estranged daughter (played by Abigail Breslin), is serving time in Marseille, on charges of having murdered her roommate, a girl who it’s reported was in a relationship with Baker’s daughter. At one level, it’s a fish out of water journey, as Baker doesn’t speak French, and has to function in that milieu.
As the hardened working man, this is obviously a role that in most casting meetings would have gone to someone like Mark Wahlberg. And you’ll enjoy how Damon attacks his portrayal, losing the pretty boy aspect of his Hollywood persona. While there are legal procedural notes to the narrative - daughter insists she’s innocent; what we really get here is the personal odyssey of Baker as he gets a better understanding of who he is and what he’s capable of as both father and friend. The irony in the story is how this father aspect is directed towards a young French girl he encounters in the hotel, and not even his own daughter. Prejudices, overtones of racism, the judicial system, and the fragmented social fabric of Marseille - they all play a role in the narrative. If anything, my problem here is that it goes on for too long, and could have used some editing. With patience, the viewer is rewarded.
The Green Knight (Video on Demand) - A stylized, surreal take on medieval chivalry, the life of a knight, and how otherworldly elements come into play; this David Lowery film outing is definitely not what one would expect if one is thinking period action a la A Knight’s Tale or Robin Hood. This one is dark and phantasmagorical, like everything exists in some hazy, disturbing dream. It even opens with a scene that evokes MacBeth, then goes for something even darker. In fact, I’ll have to salute David Lowery, who wrote and directs, for having so much clout with the studio heads who green-lighted this film of his. Far from commercial, but I would imagine done with a substantial budget given all the effects; this is a film that the studios can proudly say they had a hand in, and will likely enjoy cult status, but won’t recoup their money.
Dev Patel plays Sir Gawain, and he carries much of the film as he takes it upon himself to behead the Green Knight, and now has to live up to the pledge to head to the Green Knight's lair in a year’s time. Yes, you read that right, beheaded but the Green Knight still lives. Along his quest, Gawain meets all kind of adventures, and a persistent fox. Much of what transpires seems part of Gawain’s mother’s, Morgana le Fay here, bewitching powers. King Arthur is a sickly personage, hanging on to his crown and equally sickly Queen - and there would be a message here from Lowery, his questioning chivalry, the honor and valor of the Knights in general, and how a hypocritical upstart such as Gawain, can ambitiously reach for the stars. Definitely for a select audience, but they will love this film to high heavens, as it’s so unique.