Note: Lotsa spoilers!

My Lords and Ladies, may I present to you - the sleeper of the summer, a film to surely captivate your hearts a minds, a film that will make your feet tap and your lips curl into a smile: "A Knight's Tale."

Believe all that you've heard. Go ahead and expect the best; Brian Helgeland's "A Knight's Tale" is awesome. You will not be disappointed. This is the summer movie of 2001. Yes, Helgeland uses modern classic rock in this tale set during the days of yore. Yes, the opening scene does feature an audience of knaves and knights at a joust singing Queen's classic "We Will Rock You." Yes, all you have heard is true.

But Helgeland does this for a reason. Not for commercial sake. Not for soundtrack sales. Not even for collegiate skewed "hip" film school acceptance. (If the latter had been the case, he would have used modern hip-hop or alt_rock or something). No, Helgeland does this for cinematic sake, for more rewarding storytelling and for a clearer understanding. Sure, the film might have been just as exciting if he had simply told the same story and used a score composer for the film. It might have been less a "movie" (and by that I mean more a "film) if Helgeland had simply done a "traditional" film. But the writer/director instead steps out on a limb, opts for both score and pop songs and comes out a winner. Why? Because we, as modern audience, can understand and accept the film much easier using our own level of familiarity with the themes. By using music, as well as plot and dialogue and character, Helgeland makes us, a modern audience, understand that the jousting matches we see here were much like modern day sport, in particular boxing or wrestling. It simply makes this history relevant to us. By relating his ancient story to our modern day sensibilities, without really losing the reality of his story, Helgeland helps modern audiences understand, accept and become involved in his story. He helps us "get it."

And what a story he has. It's awesome. A little something for everyone. There is action sequences for males, romance for females and the struggle of an underdog for all. Adults will revel in the story, the familiar rock songs and the wonderful look and feel of the film. Teens girls, and gay guys, will dig Heath Ledger looking ten times as hunky as DiCaprio in "Titanic." Teen boys will get into the sport aspect of the film and delight in a determined Ledger who refuses to back down, fights to the finish, and generally succeeds against all odds.

And there is more to the story too. With it's subplots, the film is, in many ways, like "Titanic," with Ledger fighting a class system that often threatens to knock him down. Rufus Sewell, whom I cannot stand, is perfect here as the "Billy Zane" character, a nobleman who must be taken down a notch. Ledger's just the guy to do it too. Likewise, the film reminds one of "Gladiator" with Ledger a much better hero and the film much more witty, realistic and well written. This film, in fact, wipes "Gladiator" off the face of the Earth. Anyone who likes "Gladiator" better than this film is an idiot. Helgeland is far more humorous and far less dramatic here than Ridley Scott was in what was supposedly last year's "Best Picture" and therefore, is far more real. The Academy is, of course, made up of idiots, so don't expect this film to pop up in Oscar noms next year. That would be far too intelligent of them.

Naysayers will say that the film's plot and story is "typical," that nothing new happens here. It would be hard to argue that point. Sure, a lot of what acts as plot is pretty typical. There is the vying for a lady's hand and the "Gladiator" theme of hero against the monarchial system. But Helgeland makes the story his own, overcomes the typicality of the piece, and gives us a warrior we really want to root for. Even better are the captivating action scenes which are neither gruesome nor overtly violent. This is as much about good sportsmanship, chivalry and mercy as it is about winning and Ledger, as our hero, remains a gentleman and a good sport throughout. It's a great story for youngster that will enthrall them with action sequences as well.

So many scenes are downright awesome in this film that I must share at least two of my favorites. First is a dance scene, where Ledger and his love interest, the beautiful Shannyn Sossamon, first truly come together. Helgeland begins the choreographed number with traditional dance music from the time period. But soon the tune evolves into David Bowie's "Golden Years" (the best disco song of all time), and the dance progresses into modern choreography. The effect is awesome as the chemistry between the leads is perfectly charged with the dance. And the scene is perfectly punctuated with Bowie's electric song. It's a magical segment. Another scene, prior to this, which does not involve rock music, has Ledger's trusted friends, his assistants and a female blacksmith, compose a love letter. Helgeland flashes from composition of the letter to it's reading by his love and brings forth a wonderful moment where love is realized and friendship is exalted. It also acts as a extraordinary and subtle moment of exposition where we learn bits and pieces about the secondary characters. It is simply one of the most well-crafted scene you will ever see.

Helgeland also plays a bit with history here by introducing Paul Bettany as Jeffrey Chaucer into the piece. Chaucer, acting as "herald" to Ledger's knight, introduces the combatant at jousts much like an announcer at a wrestling match. Again, Helgeland works this idea of associating his story with modern times into the framework of his stories and characters with wonderful writing. This isn't done as spoof or purely for comedy. Instead it furthers the ideas and the themes of the story and the film. It likens the story to ideas we, as a modern audience, can understand, while also amusing us and engrossing us in the story. Simply brilliant.

I urge you to believe the hype and watch this film. If you do not get into the film and the spirit of the film, you are an old fuddy-duddy. Sure, Helgeland could have made a period piece that was devoid of rock music and modern references, but he opted to try for more. You have to respect him for that. The film is not willy-nilly about this. It does not make modern references in dialogue, really, nor does it contain cute jokes that offer a wink and a nudge about how cute the rock music is in the piece. Helgeland isn't making spoof, comedy or lampoon here. Instead he opts to flavor his film, a rousing, engrossing, beautiful film full of awesome characters, a great story, and perfect acting, with modern music and modern influences so that we can become even more involved with the film. This isn't an "art film" or a pedantic and pretentious piece either. Helgeland isn't trying to be clever or cutting edge or artsy. He is not showing off. He is not trying simply to be hip. He draws the audience in with his differences. He wants to include us, not exclude us.

And, gee, Helgeland also films the piece quite well with the action shots sometimes being quite thrilling. Aw, why go on? The film works on every level.

"A Knight's Tale" is a film for everyone. Everyone with an open mind who wants to be entertained. Everyone who is willing to take a chance. Isn't that really what film should be?

Notes:

Also with Mark Addy ("The Full Monty"), Alan Tudyk ("28 Days") and Laura Fraser.

Tudyk is from El Paso, Texas.

Rock songs used in the film:

Queen - We Will Rock You

War - Lowrider

BTO - Takin' Care of Business

Bowie - Golden Years

Rare Earth - Get Ready

Thin Lizzie - The Boys Are Back in Town

AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long

Robbie Williams w/ Queen - We Are the Champions

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