Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Last Duel review says the film, which features A-list actors involved in brutal rape and violence, is not right for these times… or any others.

Just because a disturbing and dramatic event has been historically documented doesn’t mean it will make a great movie. There are some stories that don’t need to be adapted for the big screen. The Last Duel is one of them. It never should never have been made.

I’m actually quite surprised that A-listers like Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck and Ridley Scott would waste their considerable talent and reputations on such an ill-advised, ugly, tone deaf clunker. While I admire much of their previous work, I’m not some sycophantic fan girl too starry-eyed to call them on their epically bad choices.

Make no mistake, this is not a medieval #MeToo manifesto, although they’re certainly trying to sell it that way. The Last Duel giddily exploits rape and extreme violence — using these lurid devices as a gimmicks to grab attention and garner box-office returns. This is not about female honor but male ego, in its most brutal form.

The story is told from three perspectives, those of Jean de Carrouges (Damon) a cantankerous knight eager to take up arms for king, country and cash; his plucky wife Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), and Jacques Le Gris, (Driver), a powerful courtier who was once a friend of Carrouges, but becomes his mortal enemy after cunningly tricking him out of land and raping his wife. A duel to the death ensues.

Yes, it’s that blunt and brash. There is no nuance here.

The same tedious, excessively uncomfortable events leading up to this dual are cumbersomely revisited three times, with the story from the male perspectives being written by Affleck and Damon, and the scenes from the female point of view written by Nicole Holofcener. It might have been an interesting device, if only the overwhelming majority of this bloated, two-and-a-half hour film didn’t focus on the men and their excruciating brutality and debauchery.

We are subjected to the graphic and outrageous rape scene twice. Once was too much. You don’t need personal experience with this subject matter (as far too many of us have, including myself) to find these scenes devastatingly disturbing. Really, is there anyone in this day and age who admits to finding rape entertaining?

But that’s not all in The Last Duel that bruises the soul. There are bloody battle scenes where warriors brutishly bludgeon each other, gratuitously sprinkled throughout. And just when you think you can’t endure any more, you’re confronted with the unrelenting final dual and its unwatchable aftermath that will likely haunt you for life. I ask again, who finds this entertaining?

In the end, you realize the film has skimmed over the courage and character Marguerite displays by risking all to stand steadfast in her truth. The lion’s share is overwhelmingly devoted to two depraved men driven by sheer egotism, pride and bloodlust, with little to no regard for Marguerite and her heroism.

Personally, I had to sit in my car after the critics’ screening for a good twenty minutes to catch my breath and stop shaking long enough to safely drive myself home. I’m still having nightmares.

At a time in history where society is experiencing is so much misplaced anger, violence and rage, I see no place for The Last Duel. This film deserves protests, not praise. I’m disheartened that so many of my colleagues are drinking the A-list white male Kool-aid and lavishing this film with praise.

Rated R

2 Hours 33 Minutes

If, after reading this The Last Duel review, you’re still intent on seeing the film, find times and tickets on Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Last Duel review says the film, which features A-list actors involved in brutal rape and violence, is not right for these times … or any others.