TIFF 2022: Chevalier Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

If it hasn’t already been made clear, Kelvin Harrison Jr. is up for any challenge put his way and suffice it to say that Chevalier was one. In terms of historical biopics, this musical biopic may not bring anything new to the table plot wise but is certainly one that looks and sounds the part which is even more important for a film like this one. Authentic of the time period and respectful of its subject matter, the result is an uber-stylish watch via stellar production and costume design and a terrific score ultimately all tied together by the charisma of the aforementioned Kelvin Harrison Jr.. A character study and a study of the time period of late 1770s France, he grounds the film with an energetic and vulnerable performance over the course of a strong character with the usual ups and downs and heartbreak. Meanwhile, he is surrounded by some equally strong supporting performances from Samara Weaving and Lucy Boynton. However at the end of the day, this is Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s film.

Chevalier is the story of classical composer Joseph Bologne and Chevalier de Saint-Georges (Harrison Jr.), the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, and his meteoric rise and fall amongst French high society. A confident musical prodigy, his status could only protect him so much as France may not necessarily be as forgiving with racism and slavery still rampant. As hard as it was for Bologne, it was also hard for one of his closest allies and biggest supporters, Queen Marie Antoinette (Boynton) who must balance her friendship with him against what was best for her country though that could only last so long. Getting herself in trouble at times, she kept sticking her neck out for him and he arguably continued to hide behind her. Living a mostly-privileged life unlike most of his skin color, the entitled violinist lacked perspective which also got him in trouble as an affair with a singer named Marie-Josephine (Weaving) threatened to bring it all down.

The best part of Chevalier is of course Harrison Jr.’s aforementioned performance as Bologne. Showing plenty of range in delivering equal amounts of youthful confidence and vulnerability, he commanded the screen and was engaging to watch as he pulls audiences into his journey from his rise to his unfortunate fall. Playing the violin throughout was another testament of his talent. Weaving also held her own with her own commanding moments despite taking too much of a backseat. More so for Boynton.

In the end, Chevalier is a musical biopic done right and who else still needs convincing about Kelvin Harrison Jr. at this point?

*still courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.