Chevalier

Name: Chevalier
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Music
Released: April 21, 2023
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Alec Newman, Alex Fitzalan, Ben Bradshaw, Jessica Boone, Jim High

2023

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Ratings

See All

4.9

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4.9	Your Score
4.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Chevalier

Now Playing: Chevalier

Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: April 21, 2023 | PG-13

Starring: Alec Newman, Alex Fitzalan, Ben Bradshaw, Jessica Boone, Jim High, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucy Boynton, Marton Csokas, Mezi Atwood, Minnie Driver, Ronke Adekoluejo, Samara Weaving, Sian Clifford

Summary: Inspired by the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a fallingInspired by the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court.… Expand

Director: Stephen Williams

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Music

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 107 min

See All Details and Credits

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Moira Macdonald

Apr 20, 2023

History almost erased Joseph Bologne; this film lets him live again. Read full review

The Guardian Ellen E Jones

Jun 7, 2023

While Harrison’s performance may never fully reveal the nature of the man beneath these sumptuous layers of organza, silk and self-confidence, it’s enchanté Chevalier, all the same. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Christy Lemire

Apr 21, 2023

Harrison’s powerful performance and the chance to learn about this extraordinary artist make Chevalier more than worthwhile. Read full review

Lovia Gyarkye

Sep 17, 2022

The latter half of Chevalier obediently fills the holes of its familiar puzzle. The cast — a wonderful bunch — sustain our interest with their congenial performances. Harrison is especially spry as he balances Saint-Georges’ confidence, jovial comportment and rumored temper. Read full review

Martin Tsai

Sep 17, 2022

While Chevalier is by no means terrible, it seems like such a huge missed opportunity for an important historical figure to have finally gotten his due. Read full review

The Observer (UK) Mark Kermode

Jun 11, 2023

Perhaps that is this frothy film’s strength: cherrypicking multiplex-friendly elements from a complex and still largely unknown life in a manner that leaves the audience wanting to know much more. Read full review

Katie Walsh

Apr 20, 2023

Directed by Stephen Williams with a sense of momentum and fluidity, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this version of Bologne’s life story glides over the most interesting parts. Read full review

SEE ALL 29 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

zmgalen2000

Apr 29, 2023

Striking, moving, and bold, "Chevalier" is one of the best-acted and best-directed films to hit theaters in recent years. From its cinematography to its writing to its editing, the movie is a nearly impeccable work that is just as gorgeous and memorable as the story it depicts.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DKAT

May 13, 2023

This movie was a great telling of a true story. The story of Joseph Bologne is under shared and under appreciated. The movie goes at a good pace and ends with a bang.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

rannynm

Jun 8, 2023

I really like Chevalier, because of its story about segregation in France when Black people were slaves. I like the violin aspect of it as well.

The story takes place in 18th century Paris and is inspired by the incredible life of composer Joseph Bolognue, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (KelvinI really like Chevalier, because of its story about segregation in France when Black people were slaves. I like the violin aspect of it as well.

The story takes place in 18th century Paris and is inspired by the incredible life of composer Joseph Bolognue, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bolognue, rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court.

I really enjoyed the storyline. It is amazing and really shows us what life was like in the 18th century. The pace is intentionally slow and that's what makes it so good. It reminds me of a great meal that you would just want to savor. You can really imagine it taking place in your mind. The camerawork is excellent; it makes you feel as if you are in parts of the scene. Production on this film began on September 7, 2021, in Prague, Czech Republic and ended in November 2021. The setting was supposed to take place in France and the sets and locations really look very French. Kelvin Harrison Jr. gives a tour de force performance as Joseph Bolognue / Chevalier. He blew me away with his performance. Samara Weaving’s portrayal of the Queen uses a rude and not too shabby voice and she changes sides like when you flip a light switch. Lucy Boynton, the love interest of Bolognue, seems to be a typical woman who men fall in love with. I didn't feel the inclusion of her as his love interest added much to the storyline. I don't particularly care for the film’s ending, but it does kick off the French revolution.

The message of this film is never try to get rid of a Black man. I give Chevalier 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available in movie theaters beginning April 21, 2023. By David E., KIDS FIRST!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Apr 21, 2023

Imagine a prime time soap opera with 18th Century French period piece trappings, and you’ve pretty much got the gist of this fact-based (and loosely so, I understand), underwhelming offering from filmmaker Stephen Williams, a director best known for his acclaimed cable TV series work (whichImagine a prime time soap opera with 18th Century French period piece trappings, and you’ve pretty much got the gist of this fact-based (and loosely so, I understand), underwhelming offering from filmmaker Stephen Williams, a director best known for his acclaimed cable TV series work (which is probably why this release feels so much more like a television piece than a movie). The picture presents the biography of Joseph Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an acclaimed multiracial violinist and composer who rose through the social ranks to attain a celebrated place in the court of Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) in pre-revolutionary France. But, rather than focusing on Bologne’s accomplishments (many of which have been lost over time but are allegedly traceable), the film instead tells the scandalous (for the time) tale of a failed interracial romance and its fallout, a story that deeply affected him personally and changed the artist into an advocate for society’s downtrodden (noble ambitions that, regrettably, receive short shrift in the film). While all of this should provide the makings of a captivating watch, much of it falls dreadfully flat – a collection of pretty images populated with arrogant, elegant aristocrats casting knowing glances and wry smiles but not providing significant fodder for viewer engagement. Such blandness even spills over into the performances, like that of protagonist Harrison, an actor whose work I generally admire but who comes across here to be about as interesting as a bowl of lukewarm porridge. To me, it seems like so much more could have been done with this story, but what comes from it here is stunningly uninteresting and uninvolving, a disappointment given that Bologne deserves better than this.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bertobellamy

Jun 21, 2023

A musical duel with Mozart and making him go nuts is the best way to start the film; unfortunately, the rest develops in the most predictable and underwhelming manner. It's great that 'Chevalier' rescues the memory of classical black composer Joseph Bologne, who rose to prominence because ofA musical duel with Mozart and making him go nuts is the best way to start the film; unfortunately, the rest develops in the most predictable and underwhelming manner. It's great that 'Chevalier' rescues the memory of classical black composer Joseph Bologne, who rose to prominence because of his music before the French Revolution. Its main problem it's the messy screenplay. The promise of something akin to 'Amadeus' gets lost in a by-the-numbers biopic that can't resist turning the plot into a boring forbidden romance one. Kelvin Harrison Jr. is fine as Bologne, but his character keeps sending contradictory messages toward the end, resulting in a clumsy and hasty transformation. 'Chevalier,' of course, is about racism, but the Revolution aspect of the story doesn't organically intertwine with the protagonist's struggle. Wish this was better because the production design, the make-up, and the costumes are great.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alanpotter17

Jun 17, 2023

Há uma trama extremamente necessária aqui versando sobre a necessidade de não apagar a histórias de pessoas negras influentes, principalmente levando em conta que seu destaque, certamente, dada a época em que ocorria, significava um peso muito maior de talento e de genialidade. Não é comumHá uma trama extremamente necessária aqui versando sobre a necessidade de não apagar a histórias de pessoas negras influentes, principalmente levando em conta que seu destaque, certamente, dada a época em que ocorria, significava um peso muito maior de talento e de genialidade. Não é comum em pleno século XVIII ver negros (e mulheres) ocupando o mesmo espaço dos homens brancos.
Ocorre que a mão da direção pesa, e não é pouco. Toda a linguagem, o comportamento, o maneirismo, peca por ser basicamente um olhar contemporâneo de tudo o que se vê em tela.
Uma introdução mito pouco provável de ter ocorrido, com Bologne adentrando o teatro e chamando Mozart para uma competição, assim, do nada. É gratificante ver a postura do homem negro se posicionando com orgulho, mas precisava mesmo distorcer o fato para a "inconveniência"?
Sem contar que em muitas cenas o homem foi objetificado de forma mais estigmatizada possível, numa cena em especial uma das mulheres com quem topa num salão de festas insinua o "tamanho" de seu instrumento, fazendo o trocadilho com o seu orgulho. Não tinha ninguém para avisar?
Toda sua infância e adolescência passam voando, regressando apenas para contar como obteve uma educação de alta qualidade, em um diálogo também muito direto e pouco acurado.
Bem, se por um lado toda a intenção é jogada de forma didática e se acuro, por outro lado o filme mostra a que veio, na plenária de pensadores estão ali as falas feministas e anti-racistas de forma mais explícita possível. Jogando para escanteio a verossimilhança e o apuro nos diálogos, o filme se desnuda de boas intenções, num cinema que nem parece retratar uma época, exceto pelo figurino.
Merecei um trato melhor, uma história fascinante, um homem que abriu caminhos, mas cujo filme recebeu um tratamento bem desleixado.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

VonSeux

Aug 27, 2023

Disrepectful to the character with it's anacronic views and delliriums that have no place on a 2020's biopic. The plot pisses on real life events of an individual that is so accomplished but instead of bringing his life challanges and wins to the spotlight, what we see portraited on screenDisrepectful to the character with it's anacronic views and delliriums that have no place on a 2020's biopic. The plot pisses on real life events of an individual that is so accomplished but instead of bringing his life challanges and wins to the spotlight, what we see portraited on screen as a clown with a "big talent".… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS