The Last Duel is a well-rounded film that hits lofty marks while being unique enough to stand out from its genre. First and foremost, Jodie Comer is magnificent for portraying her character slightly (yet thunderously) different depending on the perspective of the narrator. The remaining cast members nail their roles as well. Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Ben Affleck deliver expectedly great work, but minor characters like Alex Lawther and Harriet Walter also provide flavor to the experience. Fortunately, this all serves an honorable script that is interesting, ambitious, and meaningful. Stories are rarely so fantastical and so relevant at the same time.
Meanwhile, The Last Duel is a technical beast. Ridley Scott is known for his extravagant movies and that continues here. The production design shines as this film's greatest strength because it is exceptionally tangible and immersive. The fact that The Last Duel was actually filmed in historic French locations goes a very long way. Additionally, the sound design is rich, the cinematography is epic (utilizing motion, weather, and color tones), and the music is captivating. Truly, The Last Duel is a film without weakness that is bound to capture all audiences.
Writing: 8/10
Direction: 8/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Acting: 9/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 10/10
Casting: 9/10
Effects: 9/10
Overall Score: 8.6/10
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